Scottish government outlines progress in tackling child sex abuse

The Scottish government has published a report setting out progress made in protecting children from abuse and sexual exploitation over the past year.

The progress report, which follows on from the Brock Report andNational Action Plan to Tackle Child Sexual Exploitation in November 2014, explains which of the earlier recommendations have been implemented so far.

Initiatives highlighted in the report include a summit held in February to bring together local authorities, health boards and child protection committee chairs to share best practice. A second summit will be held in February 2016.

The highlights also include the establishment of a steering group to oversee the implementation of the Brock recommendations, as well as Police Scotland’s National Child Abuse Investigation Unit becoming fully operational.

Aileen Campbell, government minister for children and young people, said: “We want to make sure our children grow up in safe environments. That’s why we are committed to continually improving our child protection measures.

“Many of the recommendations made last year in our national action plan and the Brock Report have either been completed or are underway, but this is just a starting point to improve how we protect children from harm.

“We know there are considerable strengths and positives in Scotland’s child protection system and we have a highly skilled workforce, but the Brock Report and the Care Inspectorate’s Triennial Review highlighted areas of concern which we must tackle head on.

“We must identify what needs to be done to create a child protection system that is able to meet the demands of keeping our children and young people safe in the 21st century. That is why we are developing a programme of action to strengthen the support for vulnerable children and young people.

“This will be done in partnership with those working in the sector and the Cabinet Secretary for Education will return to Parliament in February to update MSPs on how this work will be taken forward.”