Professor Alexis Jay to chair statutory Inquiry.
Professor Alexis Jay has agreed to chair a statutory Public
Inquiry to examine Scotland's response to group-based child
sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE).
In a statement to Parliament, Education Secretary
confirmed the Scottish Government's intention to establish a
targeted independent Inquiry and establish a Scottish Truth
Project.
The Inquiry will focus on the prevalence of group-based CSAE now
and in the recent past, whether brought forward by survivors or
relating to findings from the independent National Review being
led by four Inspectorates.
The new Inquiry will be distinct from the Scottish Child Abuse
Inquiry (SCAI), chaired by Lady . The Scottish
Government will ensure the new Inquiry does not duplicate the
valuable work of the SCAI.
The scope of the Inquiry and its
detailed terms of reference will be finalised
and confirmed in due course, following input from
Prof Jay.
The Education Secretary also announced that
the Government intends to establish a
Truth Project in Scotland, to enable victims and survivors of
CSAE to share their experiences to help inform change
and access support.
Ms Gilruth said:
“Survivors of abuse want to see accountability and improvement
delivered as quickly as possible, and that sense of urgency is
shared by the Scottish Government. We are determined to act
decisively to protect children from the horrendous harm of child
sexual abuse and exploitation.
“I consider the establishment of a Public Inquiry to be
essential, and from discussions I know Professor Jay wants to
ensure that the Inquiry is carried out at pace. Announcing an
Independent Public Inquiry today will not cure all which has come
before, but it is a statement of intent from this Government that
we will leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice for
survivors of child sexual abuse.
“The work of the National Review and Police Scotland's ongoing
review of cases of group-based abuse will ensure that any
improvements that must be made to practice or action to bring
perpetrators to justice is taken as quickly as possible.
“The Truth Project, to be led by John O'Brien, will ensure that
the voice of survivors is central to our collective efforts so
that every action is informed by their experience and brings
about the changes they have told me must be made.”
Professor Alexis Jay said:
“The sexual and criminal exploitation of children entails abuse
of the most horrific kind, usually at the hands of many
perpetrators.
“The Public Inquiry will get to the truth of exploitation in
Scotland in the past and the present, in order to prevent it in
the future.
“It will examine the extent to which public authorities and other
organisations effectively identify the risk of child exploitation
and take action to protect children. I will engage with victims
and survivors early, as the terms of reference are formed.”
Background
Professor Alexis Jay previously led the Independent Inquiry into
Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham, South
Yorkshire, and the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual
Abuse in England and Wales. Prof Jay will immediately cease her
role providing advice to the independent National Review to
maintain the independence of the inquiry. She will remain Chair
of the National CSAE Strategic Group but chairing arrangements
will be reviewed with any changes confirmed in due course.
John O'Brien, who previously led on the Truth Project which
formed part of the Independent Inquiry on Child Sexual Abuse in
England and Wales, has agreed to lead the development and
delivery of a Truth Project in Scotland.
The statutory Public Inquiry into group-based CSAE in Scotland
will run in parallel with the ongoing Scottish Child Abuse
Inquiry (SCAI), and will draw evidence from the ongoing
National Review and the Police Scotland review
processes.
The bodies leading the Independent National
Review – His Majesty's Inspectorates of Education and
Constabulary, the Care Inspectorate, and Healthcare Improvement
Scotland – are independent of government and the
organisations that they scrutinise. They have powers to compel
public authorities to provide information they request.
Ministers will receive regular updates on key developments and
emerging evidence throughout the National Review.
