The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has confirmed to the wider public what survivors already knew: that for decades many children in care homes in Scotland suffered physical and emotional cruelty as well as sex abuse at the hands of the very people who were meant to be ensuring their health and welfare.
Acknowledgement
In October 2018 Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced plans to establish a financial compensation scheme for the survivors of abuse in children's homes. The message to survivors was clear: "We believe you, and we are sorry."
On behalf of the Scottish Government Mr Swinney said, "Today,… I offer an unreserved and heartfelt apology to everyone who suffered abuse in care in Scotland. We are deeply ashamed of what happened.
"We will progress, without delay, to detailed design of a redress scheme, ensuring we learn lessons from other countries. We will move to make advance payments as soon as we possibly can, and will do so with urgency."
Furthermore, MSPs announced that they would provide a fast-track claims process in order to allow older survivors, including some who may have suffered abuse in the 1930s, to access compensation "with urgency".
The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry
As of October 2018 the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry had been informed of more than 350 police investigations into child abuse suffered by former residents of care homes; these investigations go far back as the 1930s, encompass around 400 possible perpetrators and nearly 90 institutions including homes run by Barnardo's, Quarriers and the Aberlour Childcare Trust.
Thompsons Solicitors Survivor Claims
Thompsons' specialist Life Impact Team has fought to ensure the legal rights of the survivors of historical child abuse in Scotland. For example, we worked with BBC Disclosure and survivors to examine and uncover sexual, physical and emotional abuse at the Sailor Society's Lagarie Children's Home in Rhu and we continue to aggressively pursue claims against the Sailor Society asking them to acknowledge and recognise the wrongs perpetrated against children in their care.
We have offices across Scotland, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and the Scottish Borders. We can arrange to meet you at a location convenient for you and, if you would like, your support worker or family member can attend with you.
Because of changes in the law – the Limitation (Childhood Abuse) (Scotland) Act 2017 – it is now possible to claim compensation even in cases where the abuse happened decades ago. (If you suffered abuse prior to 26th September 1964, please see our page on Abuse Law for Survivors.)
You can also claim if the perpetrator is dead. For more information about our sensitive, supportive and confidential survivor claims team, contact us today.
Call us on 0800 0891 331 or click on the contact button below to fill in our online form so that we can call you back. All information will be in the strictest confidence and you will be under no obligation to proceed with a claim.
Thompsons is acting for (or has acted for) clients who suffered historical abuse at the following organisations:
City of Edinburgh Council
Clerwood Children's Home, Corstophine, Edinburgh CLOSED
St Katherine's Secure Unit, Edinburgh CLOSED
Howdenhall Centre, Liberton, Edinburgh CLOSED
Glasgow City Council
Kerelaw Secure Unit, Stevenson Ayrshire CLOSED
Larchgrove Remand Home (Assessment Centre) Springboig, Glasgow CLOSED
Park Lodge, Newlands, Glasgow CLOSED
Auldhouse Boy's Home, Pollokshaws, Glasgow CLOSED
Fornethy Residential School, Kilry, Blairgowrie CLOSED
Gilshochill Children’s Home, Maryhill, Glasgow CLOSED
Inver House, Easterhouse, Glasgow CLOSED
Longriggend Remand Centre, Upperton, North Lanarkshire CLOSED
Maxton Children's Home, Bridgeton, Glasgow CLOSED
Aberdeen City Council
Brimmond Assessment Centre, Newhills, Aberdeen
Aberdeen Children’s Shelter, Castlegate, Aberdeen CLOSED
North Ayrshire
Barrholm List D School, Largs, North Ayrshire CLOSED
North Ayrshire Council
Harley Place Children's Home, Saltcoats, Ayrshire
East Ayrshire
Kirkland Park, Robertson Gardens, Darvel, Ayrshire CLOSED
Ayrshire Council
Clark House Children's Home, Largs, North Ayrshire
Renfrewshire
Gryffe Children's Home, Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire Council
Thornly Park List D School, Thornley Park, Paisley CLOSED
Beech Avenue Children's Unit, Hunterhill, Paisley
West Dunbartonshire
Bellfield Remand Home, Bellsmyre Dumbarton CLOSED
Cardross Park Assessment Centre, Kilmahew Estate, Argyll CLOSED
Fife
Greenbanks Children’s Home, Leven, Fife CLOSED
St Margaret’s House, Williamsburgh, Elie, Fife CLOSED
Inverclyde Council
Langlands Park School, Port Glasgow, Lanarkshire CLOSED
South Lanarkshire Council
Flemington House, Uddingston, Glasgow CLOSED
Lawmuir Agricultural School, Jackton, East Kilbride CLOSED
