Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry was set up on 1 October 2015 to look into the abuse of children in care.

The time period of the Inquiry is from living memory up until 17 December 2014.

The Inquiry will raise public awareness of the abuse of children in care and will provide an opportunity for public acknowledgement of the suffering of the children.

The Inquiry will report to Scottish Government Ministers within four years with recommendations for the future to improve the law, policies and practices in Scotland. The report must also be presented to the Scottish Parliament.

The Inquiry is currently taking evidence from people who were abused.

The Inquiry has been requesting information and documents from Local Authorities and care providers as part of their investigations.

See the list of current investigations.

The Inquiry's first phase hearings started on 31 May 2017.

The evidence to be heard will include:

• Evidence from expert witnesses about:
• The legislative and regulatory framework governing children in care in Scotland up to 1968;
• The early development of care services in Scotland;
• Societal attitudes towards children; and
• The nature and prevalence of child abuse in Scotland.

There will also be:

• Evidence from the Scottish Government on the nature, extent and development of the State's areas of responsibility for children in residential and foster care in Scotland.
• Evidence of the history and governance of a number of care providers, including faith based organisations, and whether there is any retrospective acknowledgement of abuse.
• Evidence of the background, development, purpose and work of survivor groups.

Aberdeen City Council has produced an information pack for potential witnesses which you can download below.

This contains details of the ways in which you can contact the Inquiry and also includes key information about the process.

Support is available both locally and nationally.

• Witness Support team - contact details
  If you think you may be interested in speaking to the Witness Support team you can contact them in the following ways:
  0800 0929 300
  talktous@childabuseinquiry.scot
  PO Box 24085, Edinburgh, EH7 9EA
  www.childabuseinquiry.scot
   
• General Enquiries - contact details
  If you wish to seek information, guidance or support, the Inquiry Team will be able to assist you.
  0300 244 8070
  information@childabuseinquiry.scot

There are organisations which can offer support to anyone who is a survivor of child abuse.

• The National Confidential Forum
  A confidential service available from 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
  0141 352 2333 or 0800 121 4773
  www.nationalconfidentialforum.org.uk
   
• Samaritans
  A confidential helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  01224 574 488 or 08457 90 90 90
  jo@samaritans.org
  www.samaritans.org
   
• In Care Survivors Service Scotland
  A confidential helpline is available 9am to 11am, Monday to Friday.
  0800 121 6027
  Janine@incaresurvivors.org.uk
  www.incaresurvivors.org.uk
   
• Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry Service
  A confidential information and signposting service is available 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
  01224 346033
  ScottishChildAbuseIn@aberdeencity.gov.uk
   
• Future Pathways
  A support service for people over the age of 18 who survived abuse or neglect while they were living in care as
  a child in Scotland.
  0808 164 2005 (Lines are open Monday to Friday 10am-6pm)
  registration@future-pathways.co.uk
  www.future-pathways.co.uk
   
• Support for Aberdeen City Council staff
  Aberdeen City Council staff can contact any of the above for personal support as well as Time for Talking.
  A confidential helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  0800 970 3980
  admin@timefortalking.co.uk