Scottish ministers request to meet child sex abuse survivors in 2026

Two Scottish ministers have requested to meet survivors of childhood sexual abuse in the new year.

Education secretary Jenny Gilruth and justice secretary Angela Constance jointly wrote to Holyrood’s cross-party group on Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse to request a meeting with them in 2026.

It’s part of the Scottish Government’s action plan to protect children from harm and combat sexual abuse, including grooming gangs.

Two weeks ago, the Scottish Government announced that it would launch a review into the handling of complaints about grooming gangs in Scotland.

It will be led by an independent expert and will inform any future decisions on whether a judge-led inquiry is necessary.

A minister previously said that it is needed to allow the Government and other agencies to “understand the extent and scale” of child sexual exploitation and abuse in Scotland.

Speaking to MSPs on Wednesday, Gilruth said the first part of the 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 child sexual abuse and exploitation”.

Ministers said immediate action will be taken to address any harms or risks identified in the first part of the review.

The Scottish Government said further parts will follow, and Ministers plan to update Parliament more fully by the end of February.

“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,” Gilruth said.

“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.”

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay insisted that many grooming gang survivors “have lost all faith in the SNP government”.

“We support their position, which is that a full inquiry is necessary,” Findlay said.

“If ministers have any hope of rebuilding trust, they need to listen to survivors, starting by including them in the existing strategic group and the new Task and Finish group, which can’t be yet another SNP talking shop.”

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.