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 and can be to present day.

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 with recommendations for the future to improve the law, policies and practices in Scotland. The report will also be presented to the Scottish Parliament.

The Inquiry continues to take evidence from people who were abused.

Find out more about the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.

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

Evidence being heard includes:

• 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.
• 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.

Find out more about the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.

Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry - Witness Support team 
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
 
Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry - General Enquiries 
If you wish to seek information, guidance or support, the Inquiry Team will be able to assist you.
0300 244 8070
information@childabuseinquiry.scot

Aberdeen City Council has a duty to respond to any requests for information to support the Inquiry with their investigations. What this means is any documents that Aberdeen City is asked for and holds are shared with the Inquiry.

See the list of current investigations.

Support is available locally and nationally; these are some of the organisations you may wish to contact:

• Aberdeen City Council Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry Team 
  Aberdeen City Council has a team who as part of their remit are responsible for responding to The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry requests for information. Aberdeen City’s team are also responsible for care experienced subject access requests, signposting people to support organisations and can provide advice and support to access services.  
  01224 346033
  ScottishChildAbuseIn@aberdeencity.gov.uk
   
• Future Pathways
  Future Pathways offers help and support to people who were abused or neglected as children while they were living in care in Scotland.
  0808 164 2005 (Lines are open Monday to Friday 10am-6pm)
  registration@future-pathways.co.uk
  www.future-pathways.co.uk
   
• 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
  
   
• 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