Education secretary John Swinney should reveal whether adults who suffered child abuse are to be compensated, opponents have said, following a shocking report on the experiences of children in the Scottish care system.

The report by the National Confidential Forum for victims of child abuse (NCF) revealed claims that children had been subjected tor regimes of torture and ritual humiliation in a variety of settings such as children's homes, secure units and residential schools over the past eight decades.

Some of the accounts given by those who came forward to speak to the NCF spoke of treatment such as waterboarding and sleep deprivation.

While a national inquiry is currently looking into historical child abuse, and a survivor support fund has been set up, Mr Swinney has so far not responded to calls for a more formal system of redress, such as has been put in place in Australia and Northern Ireland for victims of similar crimes.

Johann Lamont, depute convener of the Scottish Parliament's education committee said: "We are all now aware of the extent to which children and young people were abused in care, but we haven't progressed beyond acknowledging that that was a bad thing. A system of redress would not fix it but it would acknowledge the wrong that has been done.

"We can't just keep saying "tell us your story again, we feel your pain." All the while victims are passing away, there needs to be some kind of sense of urgency. "

The group In Care Abuse Survivors Scotland (Incas) had made suggestions for a model compensation scheme, she said.

"The proposals have been put forward and the Scottish government should respond to them in good faith."

A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said: “When in care you are entitled to be looked after with dignity and respect.

“For these adults to only recently feel ready to speak out suggests a new support method for abuse victims ought to be considered.

“To be degraded and dehumanised as a child must have been hugely upsetting and put a real cloud over what should be one of the happiest periods of someone’s life.

“Carers should act as role models, not use their position of authority to humiliate and abuse children.

“This forum has however been released in total anonymity, therefore, unless the victims choose to speak out to the relevant authorities, the natural progression would be to use the report to improve care standards and ensure nothing like this happens again.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry said: “The Inquiry is very interested in the National Confidential Forum’s (NCF) helpful report in terms of high level research and key findings from survivor testimonies.

“The Inquiry welcomes contact from survivors who have participated in the NCF and who also wish to give evidence to the SCAI.”