Survivor groups encourage all survivors of abuse in care to take part in a milestone consultation
Survivor groups in Scotland have called on all survivors of abuse in care to take part in an important consultation, allowing individuals to share their views on a possible financial redress scheme for the first time.
The consultation has been developed and delivered through a collaboration between a range of partners including survivor representatives (Interaction Action Plan Review Group) and CELCIS.
With just four weeks left to the deadline of Friday 17 November to complete the consultation, survivor groups have spoken out about the need for all survivors of abuse in care to take part.
David Whelan, spokesperson from Former Boys and Girls Abused in Quarriers group (FBGA), commented: "This redress and compensation consultation gives everyone who has experienced abuse in the care system in Scotland an opportunity to share their views. The consultation offers real choices to the individual and survivor groups as to what it is they would like in any proposed redress-consultation scheme. It allows all survivors a chance to have their voices and opinions heard. We would encourage as many survivors as possible to take part over the next month.
"Former Boys and Girls Abused in Quarriers group fully support this consultation which was put together in a partnership with other victims-survivors, the Scottish Human Rights Commission, CELCIS, The Scottish Government and others."
Judith Robertson, Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission, said: "Anyone who has been subjected to abuse has a human right to access justice and to an effective and fair remedy. Everyone has the right to live and be treated with dignity. The Scottish Human Rights Commission welcomes the consultation by the InterAction Review Group and CELCIS on financial redress for historic abuse. It is a crucial part of developing Scotland's Action Plan on Historic Abuse and we encourage anyone who is themselves a survivor of childhood abuse to take part."
Joanne McMeeking, Head of Improving Care Experiences at CELCIS, said: "We are in the final month of the consultation process, which is a milestone in terms of seeking justice for survivors of abuse in care in Scotland. Completing this consultation questionnaire gives survivors a way to have their views about potential financial redress seen and heard."
Taking part
The consultation is open to all victims/survivors of historical abuse in care as defined by the Terms of Reference of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry and is avialable online.
The consultation will close on Friday 17 November.
Notes to Editors
Media enquiries:
Mike Findlay, CELCIS Communications Manager
T: 0141 444 8512
E: mike.findlay@strath.ac.uk
Financial Redress
Financial compensation should be viewed in context of the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) Framework for Justice and Remedies for Historic Abuse of Children in Care, as well as the broader package of redress and reparations in Scotland reflected through the progress of the Action Plan on Justice for victims of historic abuse of children in care
Scottish Ministers agreed to implement the recommendations of the Framework and requested that the SHRC and CELCIS lead on a dialogue with survivors of in-care abuse and former providers of care. From this dialogue, an Action Plan on Justice for Victims of Historic Abuse of Children in Care was developed and set out themes and commitments towards meeting two expected outcomes: acknowledgement and accountability.
The Interaction Action Plan review group, a national stakeholder group, including representation from victims/survivors, victim/survivor support organisations, care providers, the SHRC, Scottish Government, Social Work Scotland and CELCIS continues to monitor the progress of the Action Plan on Justice for victims of historic abuse of children in care. This consultation for survivors has been developed in collaboration between CELCIS and this national stakeholder group.
As well as gathering survivors' views through this consultation, CELCIS will review relevant financial compensation/redress schemes implemented in other countries and seek the views of interested and relevant others in Scotland.
CELCIS, based at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, is committed to making positive and lasting improvements in the wellbeing of Scotland's children living in and on the edges of care. At CELCIS we have over a decade of experience working alongside survivors, service care providers, service providers and Scottish Government.