AN appeal has been made for new witnesses from Dumfries and Galloway to come forward for the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI).
Its investigations are now focusing on the provision of residential care for children and young people (under 18) in any hospitals in Scotland which provided long term care at any time up to the end of 2014.
Inquiry chair Lady Smith, pictured, particularly wants to hear from anyone who was in four specific NHS Dumfries and Galloway units at the Crichton Royal Hospital. They were Ladyfield East, Hannahfield Hall, Ladyfield West and Eskdale House.
Public hearings related to these areas are expected to begin in the spring.
Lady Smith said this week: “I understand that coming forward to give evidence to the inquiry can be really difficult and daunting.
“It is for that reason that we have a specialist witness support team who assist all witnesses according to their particular needs, discussing with them what particular support they may require.
“We have already taken some evidence, but we would like more people to come forward. Please do get in touch with us if you feel at all able to help.”
She explained they are looking at all forms of abuse including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, adding: “I will also be looking into any inappropriate practices that may have taken place at these establishments.
“If you were a child or young person in residential care at one of these establishments, or a member of their family, or a member of staff, I am looking for your help.
“Likewise, if you were a child or young person in long term residential care at any other hospital in Scotland, I am looking for your help. If you are able to provide me with any information about the experiences of children and young people at these institutions, or any other long stay hospitals, it will be of considerable assistance to me in the work we are doing here to find out what happened to children in residential care there and, if they suffered abuse, how that happened and how to protect against it happening again now and in the future.”
- To contact SCAI’s Witness Support Team call 0800 0929 300 or email [email protected]
