Child abuse survivor’s suspicions after files destroyed
A VETErAN anti-child abuse campaigner has revealed suspicions that care staff records were ordered to be destroyed after the then First Minister made a public apology to survivors in 2004.
The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry heard the claim yesterday from Chris Daly – a longtime activist seeking justice for historic abuse in statesanctioned homes.
Mr Daly – who suffers from PTSD as a result of abuse he suffered in care during the 70s – said his suspicions were raised after the publication of an independent review of abuse in 2007.
He highlighted a line in the Historic Abuse Systemic review that outlined ‘a mixed picture of problems and gaps that affect the availability and quality of records available now’.
The review, by Tom Shaw, says in one instance: ‘An archivist was instructed to destroy all senior management team records in 2004.’
In a statement submitted to the inquiry, Mr Daly aired suspicions that an ‘order’ came after the public apology from then First Minister Jack McConnell in early December of that year.
He added in evidence: ‘My suspicion was raised by the timing of this instruction to destroy
‘My suspicion was raised by timing’
senior management team records, that it was in 2004.’
This week the Edinburgh inquiry before Lady Smith has heard a number of concerns over the difficulty which abuse survivors have had in gaining access to records of their time in care.
On Wednesday, the inquiry heard from David Whelan – the spokesman for Former Boys and Girls Abused of Quarrier’s homes (FBGA).
He said it took him two years to gain access to records on his four siblings who he was separated from in care.
On Tuesday the inquiry heard from the chairman of In Care Abuse Survivors (INCAS) Helen Holland, who recalled how one member of her group was forced to spend £16,000 and six years to access information on his siblings.
Yesterday the inquiry also heard how a senior civil servant once branded Mr Daly a ‘waste of space’ in front of him.
Other abuse survivors and campaigners who have spoken this week made similar allegations, claiming government officials treated them as ‘the bad guys’ and referred to them as ‘nutters’ as they sought justice.
The inquiry continues.