More than 120 people claim abuse in Glasgow children`s homes

At least 120 children of two former children’s homes have
alleged they were sexually abused while in the care of the local
authority predecessors of Glasgow Council.

The abuse is alleged to have taken place in Eversley
Children’s Home in the Pollokshields area, and in Downcraig
in the peripheral housing scheme of Castlemilk.

Eversley opened in the 1950s, looking after around 18 children,
but closed in 1979 when the residents moved to Downcraig.

Downcraig accommodated around 40 children aged between 12 and 15
years. It was beset with problems of delinquency and complaints
from local residents leading to its closure in 1988.

The sexual abuse is alleged to have occurred between 1974 and
1986. Three men, aged 43, 45 and 72, have been charged by the
police, and a report has been submitted to the procurator
fiscal.

The council admits that its records from that time are poor, and
it will be difficult to trace all the former residents. Strathclyde
police are convinced that further complaints are likely and are
appealing to all former residents and staff of the children’s
homes to come forward.

Detective Sergeant Peter McPike of Strathclyde police is
co-ordinating the investigation and said: “Former residents and
staff of these children’s homes have moved to other parts of
the country, and we believe that some may even have settled in
Ireland.”

Glasgow Council has set up a support line for all former
residents and staff: Strathclyde police contact: 0141 532 6754 and
Glasgow Council social work department: 0141 771 8481.