Abuse Inquiry Officially Starts In Scotland

The Historical Child Abuse Inquiry will seek to raise public awareness of the abuse of children in care, provide an opportunity for public acknowledgement of their suffering and serve as a forum for validation of their experience.

An independent inquiry into the historical abuse of children in care in Scotland has formally started work today.

The Historical Child Abuse Inquiry will seek to raise public awareness of the abuse of children in care, provide an opportunity for public acknowledgement of their suffering and serve as a forum for validation of their experience.

The Inquiry - which will report to Scottish Ministers within four years - will cover the period within living memory of any person who suffered such abuse, up until December 2014..

A dedicated Inquiry website - www.childabuseinquiry.scot – has gone live today to keep the public updated on the work of the Inquiry.

Inquiry Chair Susan O’Brien QC today undertook to give full details of the steps that the Inquiry will take, once the Inquiry panel members have been appointed by the Scottish Government.

During the start-up period, those who believe that they may have information to share are being asked to make initial contact with the Inquiry either by email, information@childabuseinquiry.scot or post, Historical Child Abuse Inquiry, PO Box 24085, Edinburgh, EH7 9EA.  They should only send in their names and addresses at this stage, with one sentence about how they can help.  As the inquiry operations and office are established, a phone number will also be introduced.

Commenting on the formal start of the Inquiry’s work, Ms O’Brien said: “Today is a significant first step in starting up the work of the Historical Child Abuse Inquiry.  From the outset, I am keen to ensure that survivors know that we will listen carefully to their experiences, and that we will work hard to understand the lessons of the past in order to ensure that we keep our children safe in the future.”

Ms O’Brien added: “Once the Scottish Government has appointed the Inquiry panel members, and I have had a chance to discuss the issues with them, we will set out in detail the ways in which we will run the Inquiry and take evidence from witnesses.  Counsel to the Inquiry will be in touch with survivors’ representatives during October to make sure that their views are considered before that happens.

“It would be helpful if all other interested parties made themselves known to the Inquiry now, so that their views can also be taken into account.”

There has been criticism from abuse survivors over the apparent lack of progress so far.

No panel members have been appointed, and no hearings have been scheduled.

Barnardo's says it can understand victims' concerns and is highlighting other support for abuse survivors. The charity says they can get in touch with the National Confidential Forum – www.nationalconfidentialforum.org.uk, or the In-Care Survivors Service – www.incaresurvivors.org.uk (0800 121 6027)