Abuse inquiry is set to start later this year

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry ( SCAI) will begin hearings into the actions of central government in relation to issues arising out of non-recent abuse of children in institutional care this November.

The hearings will explore why calls for a public inquiry throughout the period between August 2002 and December 2014 were turned down by the Scottish Government.

SCAI will consider the actions of central government between the lodging of a petition calling for a probe with the Public Petitions Committee of the Scottish Parliament in August 2002, and the announcement by Scottish Ministers in December 2014 of a public inquiry.

Interim findings already published revealed young people at facilities run by Renfrewshire- based Quarriers between 1921 and 1991 were subjected to “harsh, rigid regimes”.

At the end of last year, Quarriers apologised for the abuse suffered by thousands of child migrants it sent to live on farms in Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

The organisation sent more than 7,000 children from its headquarters in Bridge of Weir to live abroad as part of child migration schemes.

The social care provider, together with the Scottish Government, has issued apologies to those involved in the scheme.

Subject to ongoing public health guidance and physical distancing measures, it is hoped the hearings will take place at the inquiry’s hearing venue at Rosebery House, Edinburgh.

Evidence is likely to be taken both from witnesses in person, as well as remotely via video link.

Further details will be provided as soon as these are available .

This phase of evidence is expected to conclude in early December.

A case study examining the abuse of children in boarding schools is expected to start in early 2021.

Thornly Park, a former residential school in Paisley, is one of the establishments that will be looked into.