‘over 20 Victims’ in Catholic Sex Abuse Inquiry

By Frank Urquhart
The Scotsman
August 21, 2013

http://www.scotsman.com/news/education/over-20-victims-in-catholic-sex-abuse-inquiry-1-3056440

Fort Augustus Abbey School in the Highlands, one of two Catholic institutions at the centre of a police investigation. Picture: Peter Jolly

DETECTIVES investigating allegations of physical and sexual abuse at two Catholic boarding schools in Scotland have identified more than 20 potential victims, it was revealed today.

• Police have identified over 20 potential victims of sexual abuse in an investigation into two Catholic boarding schools in Scotland

• Investigation into Fort Augustus Abbey School in the Highlands and Carlekemp in East Lothian began in March following a complaint from a former pupil

The investigation centres on allegations of abuse at the Benedictine-run Fort Augustus Abbey School in the Highlands and its prep school Carlekemp in East Lothian.

The investigations began in March following a complaint by a former pupil. A BBC Scotland investigation, broadcast last month featured five men who claimed they had been raped or sexually assaulted by two Australian monks Father Aidan Duggan and Father Chrysostom Alexander. Father Fabian Duggan, Father Aidan Duggan’s brother has also been accused of abuse.

About 50 alleged victims at the two schools have spoken about events over nearly three decades. A total of ten monks face allegations of physical abuse; four monks and a lay teacher are accused of sexual abuse, including rape.

In a joint statement, a spokesman for Police Scotland and the Crown Office said: “Police Scotland are continuing their investigations, in conjunction with the Crown Office, in relation to reports of historic physical and sexual abuse carried out at Fort Augustus Abbey and Carlekemp School. The investigation began in March 2013 following a report from a previous pupil.

“The investigation has so far identified more than 20 possible victims and extends to liaison with a number of law enforcement agencies across and outwith the UK.”

The spokesman continued: “Specialist Officers from Police Scotland will carry out a thorough investigation and thereafter will report their findings to the Procurator Fiscal for the North of Scotland. If anyone has any information about this case, they are encouraged to come forward and report this to Police using 101 or emailing fortaugustusabbeyenq@scotland.pnn.police.uk

“Any such reports will be directed to the enquiry team and investigated and dealt with very sensitively by trained officers.”

He added: “Wherever criminal offences are committed victims can have confidence that they will be vigorously investigated and those who commit offences can expect to be brought to justice.”