The Scottish authorities has introduced a nationwide assessment of the proof on the operation of grooming gangs within the nation.
It is going to be carried out by an impartial professional, and the outcomes will inform a future determination on whether or not or not there ought to be a judge-led public inquiry.
Particulars of the impartial assessment had been unveiled at Holyrood throughout a Scottish Labour-led debate on transparency in tackling group-based little one sexual exploitation and abuse.
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Professor Alexis Jay in January. Pic: Home of Commons/UK Parliament/PA
Professor Alexis Jay, who led the Impartial Inquiry into Little one Sexual Abuse in England and Wales, has agreed to chair Scotland’s Nationwide Little one Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group from January 2026.
The work might be undertaken alongside that of the impartial Scottish Little one Abuse Inquiry, in addition to work already underneath approach by Police Scotland to assessment earlier circumstances, to collect proof on the extent of group-related little one sexual abuse and exploitation.
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Training Secretary Jenny Gilruth. Pic: PA
Training Secretary Jenny Gilruth stated: “We have been clear that we are prepared to give every consideration to an inquiry on this issue, and that any such decision needs to be based on information, evidence and a greater understanding of the scale and nature of this form of abuse and of the responses to it.
“Professor Alexis Jay has intensive experience on this space, and her insights might be invaluable to ministers as this work is taken ahead.”
Professor Jay stated she was “pleased” to tackle the function of chair.
She added: “There is much to do, and do quickly.”
The nationwide assessment follows a number of high-profile circumstances, together with the “beastie house” paedophile ring in Glasgow and the recently-sentenced Romanian grooming gang in Dundee.
In November, a younger girl claimed she was the sufferer of an alleged Pakistani grooming gang working throughout Glasgow and South Lanarkshire.
Taylor, which isn’t her actual identify, wrote to First Minister John Swinney with claims of how she was preyed on by no less than 10 males when she was 13-years-old and in care.
A nationwide inquiry into grooming gangs is to happen in England and Wales, however one has not been arrange in Scotland.
The Scottish Conservatives tried so as to add an modification to the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Invoice in September which might have seen a public inquiry, nevertheless it was rejected.
Scottish Tory chief Russell Findlay referred to as for a “full and fearless independent inquiry into the scale of grooming gang activity”.
Mr Findlay stated: “The SNP have finally been shamed into taking action, but this doesn’t go far enough.”
