Inquiry urges former boarders to come forward

FORMER pupils and staff from Scottish boarding schools are being urged to share their experiences as part of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.

Lady Smith, chair of the Inquiry, made the call ahead of a Phase 6 case study, beginning this summer, which will investigate the abuse of children in boarding schools.

The first part of the case study will focus on the background and context for boarding schools, including inspections.

The second part will look at some specific institutions. Establishments currently being investigated and expected to feature in the case study include Gordonstoun, in Moray, as well as Fettes College in Edinburgh, Keil School in Dumbarton, Loretto School in Musselburgh, Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, Morrison’s Academy in Crieff (during the time it was a boarding school) and Queen Victoria School in Dunblane

Appealing for anyone who has experience of being abused, and anyone who has information about abuse in any boarding school in Scotland, to come forward Lady Smith, said: "If you have any such information, even if you have already made a report to the police, or been involved in another investigation, that doesn’t matter, you can still speak to us.

"I know that it can be difficult and very emotional to talk about such experiences, however, we have a highly experienced witness support team and they will help and support you throughout the process. We’ll do all we can to help you feel safe and secure when you speak to us."

You can contact the Inquiry’s witness support team by phone on 0800 0929 300, or email at talktous@childabuseinquiry.scot. Individuals can also write to the Inquiry by post at SCAI, PO Box 24085, Edinburgh. EH7 9EA. BSL users can contact the Inquiry through an online sign interpreter.

The Inquiry is currently examining the abuse of children whose departure from Scotland was part of the child migration programmes.

The Child Migrant case study began in December 2019, before taking a short break. Public hearings in relation to the Phase 5 case study will recommence at the end of February.

Phase 4 of the Inquiry investigated the abuse of children at homes run by Quarriers, Barnardos and Aberlour Child Care Trust, which included Aberlour Orphanage. In her findings, Lady Smith found that children sent there were subjected to physical, emotional and sexual abuse within harsh, rigid regimes.

The Boarding Schools case study is expected to start in July 2020.

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