Judge’s praise for inquiry witnesses
The chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has thanked survivors for going through the “challenging” experience of giving evidence.
Lady Smith made her remarks as she prepares to publish her findings on Thursday into abuse claims at children’s homes run by the Daughters of Charity, including the Smyllum Park orphanage.
The judge said she was “very grateful to all the witnesses” who gave evidence, adding: “I appreciate how challenging it will have been for them.
“In the document, I set out the findings that I have been able to make on the evidence presented.
“I am doing so to make applicants, witnesses and members of the public aware, as soon as possible, of whether I am satisfied that children were abused while in the care of the Order and if so, of the nature and extent of that abuse.”
Survivor groups are concerned about the length of time it has taken to publish her findings.
Helen Holland, of In Care Abuse Survivors (Incas), said: “Closing submissions into the Daughters of Charity were heard in January and Lady Smith told us the report was at the printers in July.
“So why has it taken so long to get published?”
The inquiry also heard evidence found by The Sunday Post that more than 400 former residents of Smyllum Park had been dumped in a mass grave.
It prompted the Crown Office to ask Police Scotland to open up a probe, which has led to 16 arrests related to abuse claims at Smyllum Park. All are still under the consideration of prosecutors.