Interim findings of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquyiry published
Leading care charities have reiterated apologies to children who suffered abuse in their care homes.
It comes as Lady Smith published interim findings from the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, concluding that children in homes run by Aberlour Child Care Trust, Quarriers and Barnardo's suffered physical, emotional and sexual abuse.
Lady Smith said children “did not find the warmth, care and compassion they needed” and for many vulnerable children further damage was inflicted on them.
In response Sally Ann Kelly, Aberlour’s chief executive and Alice Harper, Quarriers chief executive issued statements reiterating unreserved apologies to victims.
Lady Smith said: "The previous lives of the children who came into the care of the Quarriers, Aberlour and Barnardo's providers had all been blighted in some way, whether by being abused in the family home, the death of one or more parent, parental illness, families who could not cope with caring for them, abandonment, or by other similar circumstances.
"The QAB providers could have made a real and positive difference to every child, but that did not happen. For many, further damage was inflicted upon them."
She added: “A particularly frank and clear apology was offered on behalf of Quarriers. Counsel for Barnardo’s and for Aberlour indicated that those providers, having heard evidence in this case study, also tendered their apologies.”
Sally Ann Kelly responded by saying she welcomed the interim findings and wished “to again reiterate our unreserved apology to those who suffered abuse while in the care of Aberlour.”
She added: “We recognise the value and importance of this inquiry and have co-operated fully throughout in the hope that in doing so, it will bring some degree of closure to those who have never been afforded the opportunity to tell their story.”
Lady Smith will analyse all the evidence gathered by the inquiry, which is now in its fifth phase, before deciding on her final recommendations.
Alice Harper said: "We repeat our unreserved apology to those who suffered abuse while in our care and acknowledge that children were subjected to physical, sexual and emotional abuse."
The inquiry heard evidence from 110 witnesses during the latest phase of the inquiry, which lasted 43 days from October 2018 to February 2019.
Martin Crewe, director of Barnardo's Scotland, said: "We accept, regrettably, that some children were abused while they were in the care of the charity.
"It is a matter of deep regret to the charity that we failed to protect any particular children, at any particular time and in any particular homes.
"We apologise to those children who suffered abuse while they were in the care of Barnardo's."
