LISTEN: 'Crucifixion' protest sparks 40 abuse victims to come forward
Dave Sharp who was abused in care at a former Catholic school in the 1970s and 80s has been chained to a cross outside St Andrew's Cathedral in Glasgow
Charity bosses say a 'crucifixion' protest by a survivor of sex abuse at a former Catholic School in Fife has prompted around 40 victims to come forward.
Dave Sharp has been chained to a cross outside St Andrew's Cathedral in Glasgow for ten days as he calls for more to be done for those who suffered abuse in care.
Counsellor Sandra Toya from charity Open Secret has been supporting the campaign.
She spoke to our Reporter Linda Sinclair.
In a statement the Catholic Church says:
“We have every sympathy with Mr Sharp and have tried to respond to his requests. The Archbishop has met him privately and repeated the apology made on behalf of the whole Church in Scotland to victims of abuse.
"In his recent protest we invited him to come inside the Cathedral, and offered special prayers for those who had suffered abuse. Our safeguarding adviser is in regular touch with him.
"The Archdiocese is not directly involved in Mr Sharp’s case which is against the Christian Brothers but we have tried to respond to him with understanding.”
The Congregation of Christian Brothers ran the school in Fife.
In a statement they say: "The Congregation of Christian Brothers Trustees are aware that 2 former teachers of St. Ninian’s School in Falkland have been found guilty of historic sexual offences against pupils who attended the school in the 1970s and early 1980s. We, the Christian Brothers, wish to express our deep regret to these victims and also to anyone who suffered ill-treatment while in our care.
"We have engaged with Mr Sharp concerning his allegations (which were not the subject of the recent criminal trial). He has asked for financial compensation and so we have requested that he proceed through a legal process in the normal way. Mr Sharp has been unwilling to engage in such a process and the Trustees are now exploring other possibilities for resolving the issue.
"The Trust is dedicated to educating young people and it has robust protocols in place for their protection. It is the unequivocal position of the Trust that no young person should ever suffer abuse. It treats all allegations of abuse with the utmost seriousness and is committed to reporting allegations and to co-operating fully and openly with any subsequent investigations."