Inquiry into historic sexual abuse in Scotland expected to be announced this week
Campaigners are anticipating the announcement of an inquiry into historic sexual abuse this week, it has been revealed.
Scottish Government ministers are expected to confirm a high-profile investigation into allegations of abuse carried out in care homes and educational institutions, amid reports this will included claims against religious orders and high-profile members of the Scottish establishment.
Frank Docherty, the founder and honorary chairman of In-care Abuse Survivors (Incas), said: “We've waited 15 years and what we want is a full public inquiry into all the abuse, in all the institutions in Scotland.”
Scotland has been rocked by numerous allegations of widespread, systematic abuse in a number of institutions in recent years, including care homes run by the Catholic Church and those run by local authorities – such as Kerelaw in Ayrshire.
Name and shame every institution, every organisation...I don't care who they are, religious or otherwise - Frank McCue
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "A month ago Mike Russell updated parliament on the Government's response to the Scottish Human Rights Commission InterAction process for survivors of historic cases of abuse in care.
"At the same time he made clear that ministers will reach a decision by Christmas on whether a further public inquiry will be convened.
“That included an undertaking to listen to views on all sides of the debate, to ensure that whatever decision is made is well-informed and meaningful. Those commitments will be met.”
Incas vice chairman Frank McCue, himself an abuse survivor, said: "The length of time these people have been waiting is ridiculous, a blind man could see that this needs a public inquiry and they keep putting out reports and excuses and it's just not good enough."
He added: "My main thing is to get justice for all these kids, name and shame every institution, every organisation that ran them and I don't care who they are - religious or otherwise."
Alan Draper, an academic who compiled a report for the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland on how to deal with historical child abuse, said this could be a "momentous week".
He said: "Clearly we have been fighting for decades and what we require is a full public inquiry preferably led by a judge with statutory powers, that's absolutely essential."
