Two Dundee Establishments Investigated As Part of Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry

By Stefan Morkis
The Courier
February 23, 2017

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/dundee/374766/two-dundee-establishments-investigated-as-part-of-scottish-child-abuse-inquiry/

The inquiry is probing historic child abuse across Scotland. More than 60 residential and care establishments are being investigated.

The two Dundee institutions being investigated both closed down in the early 1980s: the Balgowan List D School and the Roseangle Orphanage (St Vincents).

The inquiry is collecting evidence from the victims of abuse.

Dundee City Council has said it is reviewing what information it holds on the two institutions that may assist the inquiry.

A report to go before the local authority’s Children and Families Services Committee on Monday states: “To date, two establishments in Dundee have been identified as being subject to investigation, Balgowan List D School and Roseangle Orphanage (St Vincents).

“Both establishments closed in the early 1980s.

“Dundee City Council is currently reviewing what information it holds that may assist with the inquiry.”

Balgowan List D School was an approved school for boys, which meant it was attended by pupils who had been in trouble with

Campaigners say thousands of Scottish children may have been abused in the decades the inquiry will cover.

It will include every incident in living memory up until December 2014.

A number of organisations, including two survivors’ groups, the Scottish Government, Police Scotland and Quarriers have been granted “core participant” status in the inquiry.

Neither the Catholic Church of the Church of Scotland has so far applied for core participant status although the Catholic Church has said it may do so in due course.

A number of schools, including Morrison’s Academy in Crieff, and residential care units are being investigated as part of the probe.

Other schools specifically being ?investigated by inquiry staff are Fettes College, Gordonstoun, the former Keil School, Loretto School and Merchiston Castle School.

Eight children’s homes and secure units across Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and Fife are also being looked into.

Faith-based organisations being looked at include those run by religious orders including the Benedictines, ?Sisters of Nazareth and the Christian Brothers.

St Ninian’s in Falkland, Fife, which was run by the Catholic Christian ?Brothers organisation, is also being looked at.

The inquiry is due to report in 2019 but some survivors’ groups say they are losing confidence in the probe.

All three original panel members have resigned since the inquiry was set up last year.