Survivors of historic child abuse slam ministers for failing to commit to full-scale public inquiry into scandal

By Dan Warburton
Daily Record
October 28, 2014

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/survivors-historic-child-abuse-slam-4520317

David Sharp is waiting for survivors to have their day

SURVIVORS of historic child abuse yesterday blasted ministers for failing to commit to a full-scale public inquiry into their treatment.

Education Minister Michael Russell said the Scottish Government would help develop a support fund for those who were abused in care.

Victims of sexual assaults dating back decades criticised “repeated refusals” to stage a national review of the scandal.

Academic Alan Draper, who advised the Catholic Church on child protection, said: “We keep hearing this word ‘commitment’ but these are just words.

“Organisations are afraid because it will expose past bad practice and individuals may be prosecuted.”

More than 70 representatives from the Scottish Government, local authorities, churches and care providers staged talks with survivor groups yesterday.

After a five-hour conference at Glasgow’s Mitchell Library, ministers claimed the “door remained open” for a national inquiry similar to those in England and Wales.

They pledged to carry out a review into why survivors are not able to access civil justice, as well as promising to consider an Apology Law and “commemoration funding”.

David Sharp, who was abused as a boy at St Ninian’s School in Falkland, Fife, said: “It’s never enough.

“They have no idea how traumatic it is for survivors of abuse to repeatedly have these sessions with no answers, no promises and no hope.”

Professor Alan Miller, chairman of the Scottish Human Rights Commission, has spearheaded a two-year review into the demands of historic child abuse victims.

He said: “The commitments made yesterday mark an important milestone towards securing justice for survivors of historic abuse.

“Their implementation cannot come a minute too soon. Survivors of abuse must continue to be at the heart of further decisions about how to secure justice and appropriate remedies.”

Russell attended the event with Public Health Minister Michael Matheson, Children’s Minister Aileen Campbell and Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham.

Russell said: “I have committed to considering whether we need a further inquiry and what form that might take to create a better national understanding, place the facts on the record and bring the opportunity to move on for many survivors.

“We are listening to views on all sides of the debate and shall bring forward our view shortly.”