Actions to combat sexual abuse set out alongside next steps in national review
Immediate action will be taken to address any harms or risks identified in the first part of an independent inspectorate-led review of responses to group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE).
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth announced to Parliament that the first part of the independent national review will be taken forward at pace and focus on rigorous, detailed scrutiny of local councils’ assessments of the threat and risk of group-based CSAE.
Further parts will follow, and Ministers plan to update Parliament more fully by the end of February.
The Education Secretary also confirmed an additional £220,000 will be invested this financial year to enhance support for victims and families impacted by sexual offending, improve access to training for professionals to respond to sexual harm, and support improvements to Police Scotland’s forensics capabilities.
The Cabinet Secretaries for Education and Skills and for Justice and Home Affairs have jointly written to the Cross-Party Group on Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse to request to meet survivors in the new year.
The Education Secretary also confirmed that Ministers support mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse in principle. The National CSAE Strategic Group has agreed to consider next steps to develop options for mandatory reporting in Scotland, and will also further consider approaches to involve survivors in an appropriate and trauma-informed way.
Ms Gilruth said: “The Scottish Government is taking determined action to establish the potential extent and scale of child sexual exploitation and abuse in Scotland’s recent past.
“Those who have suffered, as victims of child sexual abuse, have been let down by a system which should have protected them. We must ensure that survivors’ experience is at the heart of our considerations – their voices must be heard and be listened to.
“The National Review, Police Scotland’s ongoing work, and the advice of the National Strategic Group chaired by Professor Jay, will gather evidence, help us to take action where it is needed now, and inform advice to Ministers on whether a national inquiry on group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation is required.”
Stuart Allardyce, Director of Lucy Faithfull Foundation Scotland, said: “Demand for our services to prevent child sexual abuse keeps rising. Each year, more adults concerned about their behaviour, young people who have caused sexual harm to others, and families affected by a loved one’s arrest turn to us for help.
“This funding is a lifeline that will enable additional groupwork sessions this financial year, so no one has to wait for support, and allows us to extend our helpline hours to those across Scotland who need our services. It’s a vital boost that shows the Scottish Government’s commitment to protecting children from harm.”
