The survivors of childhood abuse in care were yesterday promised “truth and reconciliation”. Most welcomed the truth. Some rejected the reconciliation.

The Scottish Government announced a special forum where victims can tell their stories and, perhaps, come to terms with their experiences.

As first revealed by The Herald last year, a Truth and Reconciliation Commission will be set up, a body that will expose abuse but not punish abusers.

It was unveiled in the Scottish Parliament yesterday, by children’s minister Adam Ingram.

“We are considering good practice examples for taking forward a forum to give survivors the chance to speak about their experiences to help come to terms with the past,” Mr Ingram told MSPs. “This will provide an invaluable opportunity to establish the facts, learn from the suffering and use the experience to help us protect and provide for children in the future.”

Support groups have long campaigned for a place where their stories can be told. But they remained split on Mr Ingram’s proposal.

Children of jailed parents are the “invisible” victims of crime, Scotland’s children’s tsar said today. A new report before the Scottish Parliament highlights the trauma faced by around 13,500 children who have a parent in prison.

THE Scottish Government has announced funding of £667,775 as part of its ongoing commitment to improving the lives of the people of Malawi.

The opening of a new cancer care unit in Perth has moved a step closer thanks to a £1m donation. The Macmillan Cancer Support Appeal has been given the money by the Gannochy Trust.