The family of Kevin Sutherland, a victim of abuse in care, has expressed their anguish over his death, blaming the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) for their refusal to anonymize records of his evidence. Sutherland, hailing from Edinburgh, tragically took his own life on 19 December last year, with his body yet to be discovered. Despite initially waiving his right to anonymity when providing a statement to the inquiry, he later implored the chairwoman to reverse this decision.
During his testimony to the inquiry, Sutherland recounted his horrific experiences in various care facilities across Edinburgh, Musselburgh, and Paisley. He disclosed suffering severe sexual abuse during this time, which subsequently led him to work as a male escort. Additionally, he grappled with addiction due to the medication prescribed to cope with his trauma.
His sister, Melanie Watson, revealed her devastation upon uncovering the correspondence between Sutherland and inquiry staff. The emails, first reported in the Daily Record, detailed his pleas for the removal of his name from the public record to prevent his case from being forgotten. Despite Lady Smith’s refusal to anonymize the statement, she did offer to redact certain sensitive information.
Days before Christmas, Sutherland posted a concerning message on social media before disappearing near the Queensferry Crossing. Authorities conducted searches in the River Forth, but his remains have not been located. Watson emphasized the family’s desire to lay him to rest and ensure he is not forgotten. She urged the inquiry to heed individuals who express intentions of self-harm, emphasizing the need for greater safeguards and respect for vulnerable individuals
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
