Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(Scot.) the Royal Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

2009		British Journal of Social Work Sept. 1043-62: 'The Cruelty Men', 'The Men from the Cruelty' or just 'The Cruelty'.
2022		A. Parks May God Forgive 55: ‘[I] called someone I know at the Cruelty. The family are “known”, as they say’.