Former care residents allege child sex abuse

At least 120 former residents from two 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, Castlemilk.
Eversley opened in the 1950s, accommodating 18 children but closed
in 1979 when the residents moved to Downcraig as part of the then
Strathclyde Regional Council’s strategy to care for children in
their area of origin.

Downcraig children’s home accommodated around 40 children aged
between 12 and 15. Complaints from local residents led 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 is convinced that further complaints are likely and are
appealing to all former residents and staff of the children’s homes
to come forward.

Glasgow Council has established a support line for all former
residents and staff.