SCOTLAND
BBC News
The BBC has seen evidence that bishops in the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland knew of 20 allegations of child sex abuse by priests between 1985 and 1995. In the mid-1990s, academic Alan Draper was appointed to advise the Church on sexual abuse and how to respond to it. The BBC has seen the letters which they sent in reply to Mr Draper. The BBC has also spoken to a man called Chris, who claims he was abused by a priest from the age of nine or 10 until he was into his early teens, in the 90s. Here is the Church’s response to the allegations:
The Catholic Church has had nationally agreed guidelines on the protection of children and vulnerable adults since 1999.
In this regard the Church was two years ahead of the Nolan Commission in England and Wales, which reported in 2001.
All allegations are notified to the police. The Church recognises that the statutory authorities are the responsible bodies for investigation.
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