Victims have criticised the delay in the historical public inquiry into abuse in Scotland as it began today.
Susan O’Brien, QC, has been announced as chair of the inquiry, which was announced in December last year to 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 inquiry will also investigate any alleged abuse in foster care.
“Today is an important landmark for all of those who have campaigned for an independent national inquiry with statutory powers to compel witnesses,” said Scottish Education Secretary Angela Constance.
“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.”
But abuse victims groups said that they were unhappy with the lack of progress since last year.
"The failure to appoint a panel, to assist Susan O'Brien, prior to the start date, suggests incompetence and will only result in yet further delays to the work of the inquiry, as we assume that anybody appointed will not be able to start work immediately," Alan Draper, parliamentary liaison officer for Incare Abuse Survivors (INCAS), said.
“The whole process is beginning to look shambolic. Survivors were feeling euphoric following the announcement of the inquiry, but are now left feeling that they are being let down, yet again, by those in authority,” he added.
The inquiry, which could take four years, covers the period “within living memory’’ up to 17 December last year.
It has the power to compel witnesses to give evidence, and Scottish ministers have pledged to pursue the “full force of the law’’ if any crimes are uncovered by the inquiry.
The Scottish government said it had invested £24 million in providing support for victims.
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