International redress

Legislation to create a scheme for survivors of non-recent child abuse in care in Scotland to apply for financial redress payments of up to £100,000, as well as access to apology and support, was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 11th March 2021. The Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill will also set up an independent body, Redress Scotland, to assess applications for the scheme. Survivors will be able to apply for a fixed rate redress payment of £10,000, or an individually assessed redress payment which will involve a more detailed examination of their experience. The individually assessed redress payment levels are set at £20,000, £40,000, £60,000, £80,000 or £100,000. This scheme will be available to Scottish former child migrants who were abused or neglected in Scottish institutions prior to their migration. In some circumstances, next of kin of deceased survivors will be able to apply for a redress payment of £10,000. Further information is available at: http://gov.scot/ news/redress-for-survivors/

Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry - Publication of child migration expert report

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) continues its work, with considerable attention given to a Case Study of child migration, and gathering evidence from Scottish former child migrants. A new report by Professors Constantine, Harper and Lynch, published in early March 2021, examines the policy and practice contexts that informed UK child migration schemes between the 1880s and 1960s; the experiences of Scottish children migrated to Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). The report considers the extent to which those responsible for safeguarding the health and wellbeing of children in care, failed in their duty to protect them both while they were in care in Scotland and once they had been migrated. The report is available on the SCAI website at: http://childabuseinquiry.scot/

News from Northern Ireland

Following its Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry

(2014-16), a long-awaited redress scheme commenced in Northern Ireland at the end of March 2020. From 2016 onwards, Tuart Place and FACT Board member Ann McVeigh, along with other former child migrants, worked alongside Professor Patricia Lundy of Ulster University, and Rosetta Trust Chairman Gerry McCann, to advocate for improvements to the NI redress scheme, many of which were adopted in the final model. Northern Ireland’s scheme is open to eligible former child migrants and the family members of those who have died since April 1953. Tuart Place has responded to many calls and inquiries about Northern Ireland’s new scheme, and Admin Assistant Natalie Tonking has done a great job in gathering and relaying the necessary information. Natalie has been working closely with Ian Thwaites of the Child Migrants Trust, to whom Natalie has referred many inquiries. If you wish to contact the scheme directly, call +44-28-9089-3977; email info@hiaadvocate.org.uk; or visit www.hiaredressni.uk To contact the Child Migrants Trust office in Perth, phone (08) 9472-7582.

Anne Hanna (nee McKillion) was born in Northern Ireland and placed in Nazareth House Londonderry when she was two years old, remaining there until she was 18. Anne was then sent to work at a laundry run by the Good Shepherd Sisters for a further three years. Anne did a lot of travelling when she left the Homes, and was a Nanny in the Middle East for 13 years. She migrated to Australia 35 years ago, and lives in Ballina NSW with her husband Ken.

Anne assisted the Northern Ireland Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry, and remains in contact with the HIAI. She also stays in contact with Tuart Place and enjoys reading The Tuart Times. Anne says she has good days and bad days, but feels fortunate to have good support in Ballina and a good husband. “I do miss having a family” Anne said, “They say that you never miss what you never had, but I am not so sure”.

Thanks for sending us photos and news Anne. We especially like the photos of flowers in your garden.

Hello from Anne in Ballina