Abuse survivors stage city centre protest

SURVIVORS claiming they endured sexual abuse at an Angus residential school have protested in Glasgow, blaming the council for losing vital records.

Police are investigating claims of physical and sexual abuse in the 1960s and 1970s made by former pupils of Fornethy House at Kilry run by Glasgow Corporation.

Around 130 women have accused the council of allegedly misplacing vital records needed in order to find justice.

The group, known as the Fornethy House Residential School Survivors, protested in front of Glasgow City Chambers, calling for answers.

Marion Reid, 64, was at Fornethy for six weeks in 1964 and claims she was frequently assaulted by employees, almost from the moment she arrived at the age of seven.

She said the abuse she suffered has caused lifelong trauma and contributed to several suicide attempts, starting at the age of 14.

She added: “We have now got to the point where we know there are records somewhere, but Glasgow Council are not forthcoming with any documents of any kind.

“There’s no way there are no records of what went on in this place.”

The building is now abandoned and derelict.

Former residents were mostly there for six to eight weeks at a time, on the pretence they were going on holiday.

Some, now in their 40s and 60s, have told lawyers they were sexually abused, beaten, punched and force-fed by staff at Fornethy.

Marion added: “I believe some were (sent for) convalescence, I believe some were underweight, some were told it was a holiday, but the bottom line is Glasgow Council made that choice of who to send and who not to send.”

The police have confirmed they are investigating reports of non-recent physical and sexual abuse at the former Angus residential school.