The Orkney child abuse scandal began on 27 February 1991, when social workers and police removed children—five boys and four girls, aged eight to fifteen and all from the families of English "incomers"—from their homes on the island of South Ronaldsay in Orkney, Scotland, because of allegations of child abuse. The children denied that any abuse had occurred, and medical examinations did not reveal any evidence of abuse.
Background
The 'W' family
The 'W' family, two parents and fifteen children, moved from Rousay to South Ronaldsay, Orkney in 1985. In 1985, the Orkney Social Work Department became aware of concerns regarding abuse towards the children by the father, and on 16 March 1987 the father pled guilty to child sexual abuse and was sentenced to seven years imprisonment. The family remained in contact with Social Work, and in 1989 further concern was raised following allegations by one of the female W children. Eight of the W children were taken to places of safety as a result of allegations of sexual abuse by siblings on 22 June and Place...
Charlie Stross
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