Battered, humiliated force-fed & sexually assaulted

Survivors of brutal regime at girls' residential school demand probe

- RUTH SUTER

ABUSE survivors who claim they were sexually and physically assaulted at a girls' residential school have demanded a new investigation into their allegations.

Around 200 victims who attended Fornethy House in Kilry, Angus, between 1960 and 1980 have called publicly for an external probe.

The survivors argue there is a lack of clarity as to whether the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry is looking into their case.

Members of the Fornethy Survivors Group have come forward to say they were beaten, humiliated, force-fed and sexually assaulted by staff during their terms at the converted mansion.

Many of the victims, who attended the school in their primary years, have been left with lifelong physical and mental health issues.

Marion Reid, co-founder of the group, was just eight when she was sent to Fornethy for six weeks in 1965.

The 64-year-old wants the voices of victims to be heard, saying they cannot heal until justice is served.

She said: "We're unsure if Fornethy is even being looked at, nobody knows.

"We want somebody that is totally independent that will possibly take the time to speak to us to start with. We want somebody to start listening to us.