Police investigate abuse claims at Pluscarden Abbey in Moray

SCOTLAND
The National

AUGUST 7TH, 2015

ANDREW LEARMONTH

POLICE Scotland are investigating claims of historic abuse at Pluscarden Abbey in Moray.

The National understands allegations centre on the violent sexual abuse of a young boy and the physical bodily harm to two other young boys. Although details are scarce, it is believed the abuses took place in the 1960s and 1980s. Two men have separately come forward to discuss the alleged abuse with White Flowers Alba, a support and advocacy group for survivors of child sex abuse.

The Benedictine Abbey is a popular retreat for Christians and holiday makers, and has been a training place for novices.

Yesterday, the police were criticised by the White Flowers Campaign, for not acting appropriately when the group took the complaints of the two men to officers.

Andi Lavery, from the group, told The National that after a disastrous conversation with a police call handler in mid-July he then had to enlist the help of Barnardo’s Scotland director Martin Crewe to take the matter up with a senior officer.

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