Inquiry into Scottish grooming gangs to begin next week

An inquiry investigating the scale of group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation in Scotland over the past 30 years will begin next week, the Scottish Government has confirmed.

The statutory inquiry, announced by Màiri McAllan on Thursday, will start next Wednesday.

The education secretary said the investigation will examine the scale, extent and prevalence of grooming gangs based in Scotland and “ensure it cannot happen again”.

Professor Alexis Jay will chair the inquiry and will investigate failures by the state and other bodies, including any deliberate concealment or failure to disclose evidence.

Its remit will cover the period from January 1, 1996, to November 11 this year.

The inquiry will also investigate whether there was deliberate concealment of abuse, examine the characteristics of perpetrators and identify changes needed to improve safeguarding, policy and legislation.

The investigation will run alongside the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry and will draw on evidence from the National Review into group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation, as well as Police Scotland’s review processes.

The Scottish Government said the inquiry would avoid unnecessarily repeating matters already examined by other investigations.

McAllan told Holyrood: “Sexual abuse and exploitation are among the most serious harms that can be inflicted on a child. Our responsibility is to ensure that children are protected, perpetrators are pursued, and survivors are listened to, supported and believed.

“This inquiry will undertake a thorough examination of Scotland’s response to group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation.

“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 under way 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.”

McAllan also confirmed that a pilot of the Truth Project will launch this month, ahead of a national rollout next year.

The project will give survivors an opportunity to share their experiences and contribute directly to the inquiry.

The Truth Project will be overseen by John O’Brien, who was previously secretary to the inquiry into child sexual abuse in England and Wales.

Professor Alexis Jay will publish findings and recommendations on specific aspects of the inquiry as its work progresses.

“I welcome today’s announcement of the Inquiry’s terms of reference”, she said.

“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.”

Taylor’s campaign

ITV and STV News has been following “Taylor’s” story as she campaigns for the Scottish government to acknowledge the abuse she suffered by a group of Pakistani men while she was living in care as a teenager, and her calls for a full public inquiry into grooming gangs in Scotland.

Taylor, which is not her real name, said she was 13 and in care when she was targeted by a “Pakistani grooming gang” operating from flats in Govanhill and Rutherglen.

The woman, who is now in her 20s, said she and her friends were sexually abused and exploited by at least ten men, who had plied the children with alcohol and drugs.

Her files revealed police and staff knew she was at heightened risk of sexual exploitation, but they failed to act.

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.