Nuns abuse ‘a crime against humanity’
It was orchestrated, inquiry told
DENYING that abuse took place in child care homes across Scotland should be a crime, an inquiry has heard.
A former resident of Smyllum Park in Lanark made the claim before the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry in Edinburgh.
The witness, who lived in the Catholic-run home between 1961 and 1965, said his head had been left “spinning” after reading an article suggesting abuse claims about such places were exaggerated.
He added: “What was happening there was a crime against humanity. It was orchestrated.
“It went on for years. I think it was a Holocaust of developmental trauma, inflicted upon thousands of children over decades.
“Scotland has to face up to this. If you don’t know your own country’s history, you don’t know anything.”
Now in his 60s, he said the nuns were “quick to aggression” and “quick to anger”, describing constant physical and mental abuse.
The witness said he “blocked out” memories of his time in care as a way of coping with the abuse. One occasion included leaving with what he was told was a potential foster carer.
He said: “I remember being taken out in a car, being taken to his house and thinking, ‘This is wonderful – maybe I’ll have a real dad and live in his nice house.’
“I remember being taken to the bedroom and then I don’t remember anything at all.”
His next recollection was that it was morning and he was being taken back to the home, which was formerly run by Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul.
Colin MacAulay QC, counsel to the inquiry, put it to him that nuns described the home as a “happy place”, but this was rejected.
The inquiry before Lady Smith continues.