The deadline for a study on child abuse is approaching
Survivors of abuse in care are being encouraged to take part in a milestone consultation.
Survivor groups in Scotland have called on all of those who suffered 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 the Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland (CELCIS).
With a 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, spokesman for the Former Boys and Girls Abused in Quarriers group (FBGA), said: "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."
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."
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."
At the end of the consultation, an options paper will be produced for Scottish Government to consider. This will take into account the views expressed by those who choose to participate in the consultation, along with evidence from similar schemes which have been implemented in other countries. The options paper will include recommendations for the government to consider when making its decision on whether to establish a financial compensation/redress scheme.
