Scottish Child abuse enquiry releases its first findings

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has published its findings into residential institutions run by the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul (DoC). They conclude that children did suffer abuse.

During the case study, the Inquiry considered evidence about the nature and extent of any relevant abuse at institutions run by the DoC in Scotland, with a particular focus on Smyllum and Bellevue.

The Inquiry also examined any systems, policies and procedures in place at these institutions, and how these were applied.

Lady Smith, Chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, said: "For many children who were in Smyllum and Bellevue, the homes were places of fear, coercive control, threat, excessive discipline and emotional, physical and sexual abuse, where they found no love, no compassion, no dignity and no comfort."

Lady Smith will take these findings into account when she analyses all the evidence gathered by the Inquiry and decides what recommendations to make within the final report.

The 20-day case study took place from November 2017 to January 2018, during which time the Inquiry heard evidence from 54 witnesses about their experiences of Smyllum Park in Lanark and Bellevue House in Rutherglen. A further 21 written statements of evidence were read in during the public hearings.

Applicants and other witnesses continue to come forward to the Inquiry with relevant evidence about the care provided by DoC and this will be considered as part of the continuing process.

The findings from the DoC case study can be read in full on the Inquiry website: www.ChildAbuseInquiry.Scot