Survivor 2 Mr M

Survivor 2 Mr M

was resident in the same home between 1975, when he was six years old, and 1978, when he was nine years old. He was born on 9 January 1969 and attained majority on 9 January 1987; the basic three-year limitation period therefore expired on 9 January 1990, 10 years before his action was raised. D M Mr M was resident at Nazareth House, Cardonald, from about 1975, when he was six years old, until about 1978, when he was nine years old. Thereafter he was sent to another home at Smyllum Park, Lanark, run by another order of nuns. Two of his brothers were resident in Nazareth House at the same time. The nuns responsible for his care were Sister D and Sister J S. Mr M avers that he and the other children were assaulted regularly for no reason. Sister D assaulted him approximately twice a day every day, using implements that included a hockey stick and a garden cane. She assaulted him on all areas of his body, but particularly his head. On one occasion Mr M ran away, but was found by the police in Greenock. He told the police that he had been assaulted by the nuns but they did not believe him and they returned him to Nazareth House. As a punishment he was made to stand naked all night in a corridor. Children including Mr M were regularly assaulted at mealtimes by Sister D. It is averred that Mr M was punished for bedwetting. Sister J S also punished him. On one occasion he saw her hit his brother R on the head with a hockey stick, rendering him unconscious. Mr M and his other brother were made to clean up the blood, and were terrified. In addition to the allegations of assault by the nuns, Mr M avers that he was punished by a violin teacher, who rapped his knuckles on Mr M's head if he made mistakes. He claims that he was punished by the nuns when an attempt to have him fostered did not work and he was sent back to the home. He was made to eat carbolic soap as a punishment for lying, and became terrified of dying because of remarks that the nuns made to him. Mr M's father died when he was in Nazareth House, but he was not allowed to attend the funeral. The nuns told him that his father was a "drunk", and said that he should not want to go to the funeral. Mr M became very upset as a result. He avers that he frequently tried to run away and was assaulted for doing so. When he was taken on bus trips his socks and shoes were removed and he was made to sit on the floor in an attempt to prevent him from trying to run away. Mr M also makes complaints about the very structured régime in Nazareth House and the poor quality of the food there. On the basis of the foregoing averments of fact, Mr M alleges that the defenders failed in their duty to take care for the safety and welfare of the children resident in Nazareth House, including him. He also alleges breach of duties not to assault children and not to sanction or use excessive, cruel and unusual punishments. Further breaches of duty are averred in relation to the inadequate supervision of the home. Generally speaking, these averments are very similar to those made on behalf of Mrs B. As a result of the breaches of duty, it is said that Mr M suffered loss, injury and damage. An alternative statutory case is pled, based on the Children's Homes (Scotland) Regulations 1959; this is similar to the statutory case made by Mrs W. Mr M said that he was humiliated by things that the nuns at Nazareth House said to him, and was distressed at not knowing where his father was buried. He has been prescribed anti-depressant medication since 1997. He was referred for psychological intervention in 1997 but did not continue with the treatment. He said that he currently suffers from moderate to severe anxiety and severe depression. It is also said that he experiences intrusive thoughts and avoidance behaviour associated with PTSD. In addition, he is said to exhibit obsessive compulsive symptoms to a high level. It is said that he has attempted suicide and has suffered from nightmares, during which he attempted to jump out of the window. It is said that he was unable to form relationships with women, and found it difficult to trust the partner with whom he lived for a number of years. His quality of life is extremely poor. It is further said that his relationship with his own children has been severely affected by his treatment in Nazareth House. A reference is made at this point to sexual abuse, but the statements of fact do not contain any such allegation. It is further said that Mr M had a number of criminal convictions and had been sentenced to periods of imprisonment. He had also abused alcohol On the basis of the foregoing statements of fact, Mr M alleges that the defenders failed in their duty to take care for the safety and welfare of the children resident in Nazareth House, including him. He also alleges breach of duties not to assault children and not to sanction or use excessive, cruel and unusual punishments. Further breaches of duty are said in relation to the inadequate supervision of the home. Generally speaking, these statements are very similar to those made on behalf of Mrs B. As a result of the breaches of duty, it is said that Mr M suffered loss, injury and damage. An alternative statutory case is pled, based on the Children's Homes (Scotland) Regulations 1959; this is similar to the statutory case made by Mrs W.