by BILL HEANEY
Scotland’s Education Secretary, Màiri McAllan, has announced that the public inquiry into group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation in Scotland over the past three decades will formally begin on November 11.
The statutory inquiry, chaired by Professor Alexis Jay, will provide recommendations and report on findings as they emerge.
This follows a year of campaigning from victims calling for the Scottish government to acknowledge and investigate the abuse they suffered while in care as teenagers. ‘Taylor’ – not her real name – was one of those abused by a gang while she was living in care.
Taylor’s care files revealed that police and care staff knew she was at heightened risk of sexual exploitation, but they decided not to speak to her or ask if she was being abused.
Taylor told ITV News that although she is frustrated it has taken this long, she is relieved there is now a date and is hopeful the inquiry will be carried out at pace and with survivors at the centre.
Scotland’s Education Secretary Màiri McAllan has announced the date for the inquiry.Under the terms of reference, published today, the inquiry will:
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Investigate Scotland’s response to group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE), covering the period from 1 January 1996 to 11 November 2026
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Scrutinise any failures by responsible organisations, including any deliberate concealment, alongside actions to address such failures
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Explore the characteristics of perpetrators so risk factors can be better understood and stronger protections developed
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Identify what changes are needed to strengthen practice, policy and, where required, legislation to protect children
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Avoid unnecessary duplication of matters already examined elsewhere, including by the independent Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry
The education secretary also confirmed that a pilot of the Truth Project will launch this month ahead of a national rollout next year, offering survivors the opportunity to share their experiences and contribute directly to the inquiry.
The Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP and former chief executive of Who Cares Scotland, Duncan Dunlop, said the inquiry must deliver justice, not just recommendations.
“We need to know what the inquiry will deliver for survivors, and what consequences will be visited upon those who have allowed them to fall victim to horrific organised exploitation and abuse.
“There’s a real danger that the inquiry will produce yet another set of recommendations about better partnership-working, information-sharing and training – only for children to again find that very little changes in practice.
“We already have the Promise, child protection guidance and years of reviews identifying failings in how we protect children. The Government must ensure that this inquiry will not simply add to this list of shortfalls and failures.”
The education secretary promised survivors’ voices will be heard.
“This inquiry will undertake a thorough examination of Scotland’s response to group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation,” she said.
“Its purpose is not only to understand what has happened, but to ensure it cannot happen again. To ensure accountability is strengthened, and that we do everything possible to better protect children and young people in the future.
“However, we are not waiting for the inquiry to conclude before acting – due to the pressing nature of the issue, work is already underway to strengthen Scotland’s collective response to child sexual abuse and exploitation, including by accepting the recommendations from our National Review and providing additional funding for Police Scotland’s Operation Decerno.
“I want survivors to know that your voice will be heard. This inquiry will investigate what you went through, without fear or favour, and action will be taken as a result. And to those who would seek to perpetrate harm to our children in Scotland, I say directly that there will be nowhere to hide from justice.”
Professor Alexis Jay, who was once a social worker in Dumbarton, said: “I welcome today’s announcement of the Inquiry’s terms of reference.
“This marks the beginning of our work, and I am clear that the focus of the Inquiry will be on making practical recommendations that improve policy, practice and, where necessary, legislation to better protect children in Scotland.”