Inquiry to consider abuse at Moffat children’s home

A FORMER Moffat children’s home will be under the spotlight as part of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry’s (SCAI) December hearing.

On December 8, the long-running inquiry will start phase ten of its investigations.

And that will include looking at the provision of residential care for children and young people in establishments run in the past by local authorities.

Twenty sites have now been confirmed as being included in this phase, including Merkland Children’s Home at Moffat, which was run by Dumfries and Galloway Council from 1975 until it closed in 1981.

Back in 2009 the council issued a public apology to victims of abuse at the home and paid out compensation worth nearly £1 million to those who had suffered.

The period examined by SCAI’s investigations into abuse at these establishments extends from within living memory until the end of 2014.

The hearing will explore the nature and extent of all forms of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, including the abusive use of corporal punishment and restraint.

Individuals who experienced abuse when in residential care in one of the 20 settings will present their evidence.

It will take place at Mint House in Edinburgh and is open to members of the public to attend and watch proceedings from designated areas.

More information at www.childabuseinquiry.scot