Vigil held for the victims of historical child sexual abuse in Scotland

Published 7th Aug 2016

People who have been victims of sexual abuse as children have come together in Glasgow.

They held a vigil near St Andrew's Cathedral in city on Sunday afternoon.

Candles were lit, prayers were said and a piper played a lament.

It comes after two teachers were convicted of abusing boys at the Catholic run St Ninian's School in Fife in the 1970s and 1980s.

It was given the backing of Open Secret, which supports people effected by sexual abuse.

Janine Rennie from the charity says 'it was a great event for people to feel some support and solidarity. It takes great bravery for those who've been abused to come forward.''

Following the conviction of the two teachers at St Ninian's School in Fife, Janine says 'we feel as an organisation the more cases that go forward and the more convictions there are, the more it encourages people to come forward and try and achieve justice'.

Ronnie Convery, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of Glasgow was at the vigil.

He says ''we recgonise serious wrongs have been done to people over the years at the hands of people within the church. When we heard the vigil was happening we wanted to come and meet with everyone.''

He added: 'today is not about us and them, it's about us showing solidarity, sympathy and that we care.''

Organiser of the vigil, David Sharp, hopes the event will encourage other victims of abuse to consider speaking out.