Cole-Hamilton demands justice for Fornethy survivors

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today spoken in the Parliament addressing survivors who have alleged abuse at Fornethy House and called on the Scottish Government to bring survivors recognition, belief and justice.  

More than 200 women have now come forward alleging that they were sexually, physically and mentally abused in the 1960s and 70s at Fornethy House, an all-girls residential school in Angus.  

The Scottish Government’s Redress for Survivors scheme pays out up to £100,000 and offers support to those abused in residential care. However, Fornethy survivors have been told that they do not qualify for the scheme because their visit to the school was only short-term.    

On 26th June, Mr Cole-Hamilton, Colin Smyth and other MSPs will accompany many of the survivors to Fornethy House, along with trained mental health councillors, to raise awareness of their cases and support them in their search for justice.  

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:  

“These stories have hurt me to my heart, it made me want to go to war for all those affected.  

“The account of the abuse they suffered as children at the hands of those who were ostensibly there to care for them are truly harrowing and utterly disgusting.  

“The constant cruelty of those running the house turned what should have been a pleasant summer holiday into the worst ordeal imaginable.  

“Their trauma has impacted every aspect of their lives and their relationships.  

“What is worse, these women are now being forced to endure a failure of justice. Many of those who abused them have now died without justice being served. At least one alleged perpetrator died after the women first told their stories to the police.    

“They have fallen between the stools of our national efforts to confront historic abuse. They only seek recognition, belief, justice. 

“Many of the survivors are here today, and I want to say to them that we hear you, we believe you, we are on your side and we will stand with you in your fight for justice.”