Victims of abuse in care encouraged to take part in consultation on compensation scheme

Abused child - Image credit: PA Images

Victims’ groups are encouraging all survivors of abuse in care in Scotland to take part in a consultation on a possible financial compensation scheme.

The consultation has been developed through a collaboration between a range of partners, including survivors, victim support organisations, care providers, the Scottish Human Rights Commission, the Scottish Government, Social Work Scotland and the Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland (CELCIS) as part of the InterAction Action Plan Review Group.

As well as gathering survivors' views through the consultation, CELCIS, based at the University of Strathclyde, will review relevant financial compensation and schemes in other countries and seek the views of relevant people in Scotland.

Redress is part of a package of reparation for abuse in care outlined in the Scottish Human Rights Commission’s Action Plan on Justice for victims of Historic Abuse of Children in Care.

David Whelan, spokesperson from Former Boys and Girls Abused in Quarriers group (FBGA), commented: "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.  

“The Scottish Human Rights Commission welcomes the consultation by the InterAction Review Group and CELCIS on financial redress for historic abuse.  

“It is a crucial part of developing Scotland's Action Plan on Historic Abuse and we encourage anyone who is themselves a survivor of childhood abuse to take part."

The consultation runs until Friday 17 November.