Justice for Fornethy House women

Survivors of historical abuse at a residential school in Angus say the conviction of a former teacher is recognition they didn’t deserve to be abused. 

Patricia Baxter has been convicted of 18 charges of the cruel and unnatural treatment of young girls between 1969 and 1989 at Fornethy House.

Girls from the west coast of Scotland were sent to the residential school for short terms breaks however, many say they were abused by those running the facility. 

Speaking following the verdict at the High Court in Glasgow the group of women said: “As children we were promised a summer of fun at Fornethy House, but all we found was fear.

“It was supposed to be a place of care, but we were subjected to cruelty which continues to have a profound impact on our lives. 

“Today’s verdict isn’t just about punishing those responsible for inflicting physical, mental and emotional abuse on us as children – it’s recognition we didn’t deserve to be treated that way. 

“It has been a long hard battle to get to this point, and we thank everyone who has supported us but now we wish for our privacy to be respected as we process these outcomes.”

Digby Brown is supporting several survivors with historic abuse civil claims which are at an early stage.

Catherine Hammond, Senior Associate, said: “The nature of child abuse is it buys the silence of the victim. 

“The bravery of those women who spoke out and helped ensure the conviction today cannot be understated with that in mind.

“Without them, this verdict would not have been possible.

“Fornethy House was meant to help vulnerable children by providing them with safety. Instead, it subjected them to a sadistic and brutal regime that has altered lives.

“Today will come as a welcome relief to the survivors that they have been heard and believed. 

“Justice has been served, and we await the sentencing.”

More coverage of this story can be found on STV, The Courier and Hello Rayo on this story