A Scottish truth and reconciliation forum is to be set up to support adults who suffered childhood abuse, initially focusing on the needs of survivors of historic abuse in residential care.

The move is among a package of support, announced by Children's Minister Adam Ingram today, for adult survivors of abuse committed while they were children in care.

The proposals also include plans for a national service framework to support survivors of historic in-care abuse; improvements to the residential child care system, including better staff training and development; and a review of the law to address shortcomings in public records held on children in care.

Ingram said: “None of us should forget the physical, emotional and sexual abuse that has taken place in Scotland's residential care homes - perpetrated by the very people who should have been providing support.

“The system let these young people down in the most terrible way and it would be inexcusable for us not to confront what happened.

“It's now time for us to demonstrate our commitment through actions and that's why we're driving forward with the measures announced today.”

Minister for Public Health Shona Robison will oversee the creation of a truth and reconciliation forum. It will give survivors the chance to speak about their experiences, establish the facts and learn from the suffering to help protect children in the future.

She said: “The move towards a Scottish truth and reconciliation forum will benefit victims of historical abuse by providing them with a platform to voice their experiences whilst also giving public acknowledgement to what happened to these children.

“Through close working with survivors and the organisations that represent them, we have come to understand that for many survivors an acknowledgement of the abuse they have suffered would be more beneficial than monetary compensation.

“It is on this basis we have begun to explore the use of a truth and reconciliation model. I hope that through that process there will be an opportunity to give survivors a chance to speak about their experiences but also learn lessons to ensure that children in the future are better protected.”

Survivor Scotland member Helen Holland, who suffered abuse in residential care during her childhood, said: “What many survivors want is acknowledgement of what happened to them and a truth and reconciliation forum can help them to achieve that.

“What we are now seeing is actions, not just words and that has to be positive.”

Responding to Ingram’s statement to Parliament, Labour's spokeswoman on children and young people Mary Mulligan said: “Whilst we welcome the minister’s announcement on the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission it is unclear what the status of the body will be and despite being questioned on finance, the minister has not revealed any firm details about funding.

“Questions remain over money for training for residential care workers and details of funding for the national services framework.

"The report highlights the vital need to improve training for those working with children in residential care. What we need from the SNP is clarity that they will increase the funding that is available to ensure this can be delivered.

“Services for survivors of abuse are critical and they need to be funded effectively. We hope that the minister will come back to Parliament and set out how the government will provide the necessary finance to ensure that services work.”

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