Inquiry used to apologise to abuse victims

Scotland’s national child abuse inquiry has heard a succession of apologies from organisations to survivors who say they were abused as youngsters in residential care.

Groups including Quarriers, Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland and Crossreach, the social care arm of the Church of Scotland, were among those voicing regret for past cases of abuse or alleged abuse.

The apologies were offered in opening statements from a range of bodies as the public hearing phase of the far-reaching inquiry into historical allegations of the abuse of children in care in Scotland got under way at Roseberry House in Edinburgh.

It followed remarks from chairwoman Lady Smith who said the process will be “painful” for many, but necessary to achieve “real, substantial and lasting change”.

In their opening remarks, representatives of Quarriers and the Marist Brothers offered “unreserved” apologies to anyone who was abused in their care.

Canon Boyle, representing the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, told the hearing that Archbishop Philip Tartaglia had offered a “profound” apology in 2015 to those harmed as a result of the actions of anyone within the Catholic Church.

“That apology stands and is reiterated again today,” Canon Boyle said.

Laura Dunlop QC, representing Crossreach, said it was “inescapable” that the church has provided a setting in which children have been abused in the past.

She added: “The church ... offers a heartfelt apology to all who have suffered in its care.”

Gregor Rolfe, representing the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, said it is “horrified” by allegations of abuse made by children formerly in its care and offered its “deepest sympathy and heartfelt apology” to any former resident who felt “let down” by those entrusted with their care.

More than 60 institutions, including several top private schools, are being investigated by the inquiry.

Lady Smith began the public hearings by acknowledging that many children in Scotland have been abused in residential care over the years.

She said: “They suffered some terrible treatment inflicted by those to whom their care was entrusted. That is a matter of grave concern.”

Lady Smith said the number of people who have spoken to the inquiry of having been abused in care is “very far in excess” of 200, a number previously mentioned in the media.

John Scott QC, representing In Care Abuse Survivors (INCAS), told the hearing those represented by the group previously felt no one will listen to them, that no one is interested, and that they are of no value.