Survivors will be at heart of grooming gangs inquiry, chairperson says

Survivors will be at the heart of the work of an inquiry into grooming gangs in Scotland, its chairperson has said.

Professor Alexis Jay said the inquiry, which formally begins on Wednesday, will approach its work with “independence, fairness, thoroughness and humanity”.

The statutory public inquiry was announced by Scottish ministers in February 2026.

It will examine Scotland’s response to group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation, investigate failures and make recommendations to help keep children safer in future.

In a video message to mark the formal establishment of the Jay Inquiry, Professor Jay said: “Our responsibility is to establish facts, examine evidence rigorously and reach independent conclusions.

“In this process, no individual institution or public body will be above scrutiny.

“At the heart of this work are survivors. The experiences of victims and survivors are essential to understanding what happened and how institutions responded.”

Professor Jay said the inquiry will examine survivors’ experiences, investigate failures in systems and responses, assess the extent to which this abuse happened in Scotland and identify what changes and improvements are needed.

Professor Jay also referred to the establishment of an independent truth project, which will work in tandem with the inquiry, in recognition that some survivors may prefer to share their experiences confidentially, on their own terms.

She said that all work carried out by the inquiry and the truth project will be guided by a trauma-informed approach.

The independent inquiry covers the period from January 1, 1996 until November 11, 2026, but will “retain flexibility to consider relevant evidence outside these dates” when it assists understanding of the issues, Professor Jay said.

She addressed victims and survivors directly as part of her video message, saying: “Your experiences matter, your voices matter, your participation – should you choose to come forward – will matter.

“This inquiry cannot undo the harm that has been done, but it can seek the truth, identify failures and hold institutions to account. It can also help ensure that future generations of children are better protected.

“That is the responsibility entrusted to this inquiry and we shall do everything in our power to fulfil it.”

The fact that the inquiry has now been formally set up means that evidence can start to be considered.

The inquiry team said that more details about how people can engage with the inquiry, provide information and participate in proceedings will be provided in the coming months