Survivors’ Anger at Limited Scope of Abuse Inquiry

By Hamish Macdonell
The Times
November 18, 2016

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/survivors-anger-at-limited-scope-of-abuse-inquiry-gbmlgc09x

John Swinney said he would be failing the survivors of in-care abuse if he opened up the scope of the inquiry to include incidents at youth groups and day schools

Survivors’ groups have reacted angrily after John Swinney announced only limited changes to Scotland’s child abuse inquiry.

The education secretary told MSPs that he would lift the three-year time bar which has prevented many survivors from launching civil actions against their alleged abusers.

But Mr Swinney said he would be failing the survivors of in-care abuse if he opened up the scope of the inquiry to include incidents at youth groups and day schools.

He also announced a consultation on compensation, disappointing those who wanted the minister to unveil a package of payments for those who have suffered.

Alan Draper, of the In Care Abuse Survivors group, accused Mr Swinney of “continuing to fail countless survivors”, claiming the lengthening process was starting to resemble legal…