Thompsons Solicitors begins legal action against Smyllum Nuns following abuse inquiry report

Laura Connor

At the end of last week, the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry published its interim report into the abuse suffered by children over decades at Smyllum and Bellevue children’s homes near Glasgow.

The report, overseen by inquiry chair Lady Smith, concluded that children suffered sexual and physical abuse over decades at these homes. Dozens of survivors were able to give evidence to the inquiry and, for many, it was the first time they have been believed by the authorities.

Thompsons partner Laura Connor, who leads the survivors team, said: “Many of those who gave evidence to the Inquiry about Smyllum and Bellevue are our clients and the evidence they have provided the Inquiry and ourselves means that we are now able to proceed immediately with this legal action.

“It’s important to survivors that the charity now formally acknowledge the inquiry’s finding, issue an apology to those who have been affected and admit liability in civil claims against them. This will allow the survivors from these institutions to gain some form of justice for the life changing abuse they have suffered.”  

She added: “What we and the survivors expect is for the Sisters of Charity to meet with us now and for these legal matters to be sorted as quickly as possible. We expect The Sisters Of Charity to show compassion and understanding in this matter and not to put people who have already suffered so much at their hands through further anguish and delay.”