Dozens of people have given shocking accounts of being abused while they were in care as children.

The National Confidential Forum has published the anonymous accounts of 59 adults who suffered abuse while in care.

The testimonies allege that abuse and neglect went unchallenged in institutions because of a culture of bullying.

Those who told of the abuse described cruel practises such as being forced to parade around naked with soiled linen in response to bedwetting, having their hair cut off, beatings, force-feeding and the withholding of food or sleep.

The National Confidential Forum was set up and funded by the Scottish Government to provide support for adults who were in institutional care as children.

The Forum's "What We Have Heard So Far" report included 78 testimonies, 59 of which described abuse.

Some cases were as recent as five years ago, others stretched back 80 years.

One person said: "It was a systematic torture chamber... a systematic abuse... a way of life all the time, morning and night."

Another said: "She'd fill a bath with cold water and throw you in it, with the towel wrapped around your head, which I think is called water-boarding...and then pour buckets of water over your head."

One account said: "The first thing I remember about care was fear."

Dr Rachel Happer, a clinical psychologist who is head of the Forum, said for many of those who contacted her organisation it was the first time they had spoken of their abuse.

She said: "What we have heard so far indicates that a number of children were subjected to severe forms of abuse, neglect and degradation in care institutions that were meant to provide safety and protection. We heard repeatedly about children being too scared to speak up. With all forms of abuse, we must be alert to the response to disclosure. Silence can be our worst enemy.

"For some people, talking to the Forum is the first time they have been heard and sharing their experience broke a long-held silence. For those people who may still be silent, now is their chance to speak up. We offer a safe and supportive place to be heard.

"Our aim is to record these experiences as part of Scotland's history, to learn from them and understand the profound and long-term impact of care and to continue making progress to create care environments where vulnerabilities are tackled and children are supported to reach their potential."