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FACT is there were, and will be, False Accusations, LOVE!
It saddened me to read about the formation of yet another group supporting the allegedly 'Falsely Accused' in relation to abuse in care.
Please be assured, however, that it is not the formation of the group which saddens me.
As secretary of INCAS [In Care Abused Support / In Care Abused Survivors] an independent Scottish Charity offering support to historical victims of abuse whilst in care, I have no quarrel with this - in fact I agree, in principle, with the aims of this, and other groups campaigning on behalf of those falsely accused.
The incontrovertible truth, however, is that abuse, in a variety of forms and not always sexual, did take place.
The fact that some cases, resulting from allegations, have already been proven in court testifies to this.
The geographical scope, the wide disparity in age and the recurring similarities in descriptions of abuses - both written and oral - of our historical survivors surely negates any valid claims of collusion.
Again research, via feedback from our membership, indicates that many more victims still remain silent through fear. A fear which, in some cases, emanates from their own religious doctrines and the manner in which these were delivered and ultimately perceived.
Is it feasible, therefore, to suggest that consideration be given to the supposition that fear also silenced the large majority of good and caring persons who, in the course of their ministrations must have witnessed abuse, and by their silence, given tacit approval to the perpetrators?
It is with some pride I record that - without coercion - the majority of our membership readily admit there were, and are, a greater number of 'Good and Caring staff' than perpetrators of abuse.
So, whilst in theory we may seem diametrically opposed could we, perhaps, agree that inter-group dialogue may well be the best way forward?
We also acknowledge that it is human nature to exploit emotive situations and that the desire to 'make a quick buck' will always be an avenue explored by both abused and abuser.
Might we not, therefore, channel our energies into supporting the confirmed victims of false allegations and the confirmed victims of actual abuse and remove the 'speculators' from the equation?
Could L.O.V.E. [Let Our Voices Emerge] in F.A.C.T. [Falsely Accused Carers & Teachers] be amended to M.O.V.E. [Merge Our Voices Effectively] and, together, achieve a speedier resolution to our problems.
John Doyle
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