Survivors condemn continuing delays as child abuse inquiry opens

The statutory national public Inquiry into historical abuse of children in care in Scotland formally opened today – but survivors of abuse have attacked the continuing delays in making appointments to the inquiry. 

Susan O’Brien QC, chair of the inquiry, has already been working on how the inquiry will be taken forward, but the recruitment process is still taking place for panel members and expert assessors to assist her. No hearings have yet been planned, and the inquiry still has no dedicated premises.

The inquiry will have statutory powers to compel witnesses to give evidence.

Alan Draper, parliamentary liaison officer for Incare Abuse Survivors (INCAS), said the process was beginning to look "shambolic", as the failure to make further appointments would result in further delays until those appointed were able to start. Survivors were being left "feeling that they are being let down, yet again, by those in authority".

Ms O'Brien said: "Once the Scottish Government has appointed the inquiry panel members, and I have had a chance to discuss the issues with them, we will set out in detail the ways in which we will run the inquiry and take evidence from witnesses.

"Counsel to the inquiry will be in touch with survivors' representatives during October to make sure that their views are considered before that happens.

"It would be helpful if all other interested parties made themselves known to the inquiry now, so that their views can also be taken into account."

The inquiry website is www.childabuseinquiry.scot

Education Secretary Angela Constance said: “Many of those who have championed this Inquiry have been campaigning a long time and I want to reassure them that they will see it conclude within a reasonable timeframe. Getting here has been a challenge and there is still a long way to go, but I am confident we have taken the time to allow the chair to lay the foundations of an inquiry that will allow us as a society to right historic wrongs.”

The inquiry, which is to report back within four years of today's date, will examine any instance where a child was abused "in care", at institutions including residential care provided by faith based organisations; children’s homes and secure care. The scope will also include those placed in foster care.

Ms Constance reiterated the Government's intention to lift the three year time bar on civil actions in cases of historical child abuse for cases after 1964, consultation on which has recently closed.