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Truth and Reconciliation
07/02/2008
A Scottish Truth and Reconciliation Forum is to be set up to support adults who suffered childhood abuse, initially focusing on the needs of survivors of historic abuse in residential care.
The move was among a package of support for adult survivors of abuse announced by Children's Minister Adam Ingram today.
Mr Ingram unveiled plans for:
- A Scottish truth and reconciliation model
- A national service framework to support survivors of historic in-care abuse
- Improvements to the residential child care system, including better staff training and development
- A review of the law to address shortcomings in public records held on children in care
- The specific remit of the joint Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council inquiry into abuse at Kerelaw residential school
Mr Ingram said:
"None of us should forget the physical, emotional and sexual abuse that has taken place in Scotland's residential care homes - perpetrated by the very people who should have been providing support.
"The system let these young people down in the most terrible way and it would be inexcusable for us not to confront what happened.
"It's now time for us to demonstrate our commitment through actions and that's why we're driving forward with the measures announced today."
Minister for Public Health Shona Robison, who will oversee the creation of the forum, said:
"The move towards a Scottish truth and reconciliation forum will benefit victims of historical abuse by providing them with a platform to voice their experiences whilst also giving public acknowledgement to what happened to these children.
"Through close working with survivors and the organisations that represent them, we have come to understand that for many survivors an acknowledgement of the abuse they have suffered would be more beneficial than monetary compensation.
"It is on this basis we have begun to explore the use of a truth and reconciliation model. I hope that through that process there will be an opportunity to give survivors a chance to speak about their experiences but also learn lessons to ensure that children in the future are better protected."
Survivor Scotland member Helen Holland, who suffered abuse in residential care during her childhood, said:
"What many survivors want is acknowledgement of what happened to them and a truth and reconciliation forum can help them to achieve that.
"What we are now seeing is actions, not just words and that has to be positive."
Today's announcement is the Scottish Government's response to recommendations in a review of historical abuse of children in residential care by independent expert Tom Shaw.
2. Scotland's truth and reconciliation forum will give survivors the chance to speak about their experiences, establish the facts and learn from the suffering to help protect children in the future.
Ministers are supportive of proposals for a national framework of advocacy, mediation and counselling services to help in-care abuse survivors which are being considered by reference group Survivor Scotland. Subject to the group's endorsement and Ministerial approval, funding will be made available.
The Scottish Government has asked the National Archives of Scotland's Keeper of the Records to carry out a review of the legislation on public records.
Information on the Independent Kerelaw Inquiry
Ministers have accepted recommendations from the Scottish Law Commission that prescribed personal injury claims (pre-September 1964) cannot be revived.