Global InformationScottish Child Abuse Inquiry information
The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry was established in October 2015 to inquire into cases of abuse of children in care in Scotland.[1][2] It was to report and make recommendations within four years by 2019.[3][4] But this deadline was later changed to "as soon as reasonably practicable".[2] Concerns have been raised about mounting costs and delays in the inquiry.[5][6] Six years after the start of the on-going inquiry and long after the original deadline, Anne Smith released a report which was critical of the previous Scottish government for the 'woeful and avoidable' delay in setting up the inquiry.[7]
As of September 2023, after nearly 8 years of the inquiry running, Smith has published zero recommendations to improve the lives of children in care. Victims have called for new laws of mandatory reporting to be implemented in Scotland. This is a legal requirement for those who work with children or in law enforcement to report child sexual abuse which is law in most other countries in the world. The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has given no indication if they will support this law reform.[8]
Many criticisms have been made against the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry. One of the more concerning criticisms is documented in a book by John Halley, former counsel to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry. Halley's book A Judicial Monstering: Child Sex Abuse Cover Up And Corruption In Scotland documents his experience of the removal of the first panel by seconded civil servants working for the inquiry and the Scottish government.[9] This panel consisted of Susan O'Brien KC, Professor Michael Lamb and Glenn Houston with John Halley as counsel. Halley outlines how he was hounded to resign by the new chair Lady Smith even when being diagnosed and treated for cancer. Halley brought a disability discrimination claim against Lady Smith and various legal claims which have been marred with conflict of interest and corruption allegations against the Scottish legal world. Halley if he had remained in his position would have continued to push for the investigation of child abuse allegations against senior legal establishment including Lord Hardie. To this date the new chair has refused to investigate the allegations despite it being within the terms of reference.
- ^ "Child protection: Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry - gov.scot". Scottish Government. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ a b "Scottish Child Abuse inquiry to be extended". BBC News. 23 August 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- ^ "Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry". Aberdeen City Council. 7 January 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ "Terms of Reference, amended 21 June 2018". Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- ^ Marc Horne. "Child abuse inquiry costs soar as concern raised over compensation panel fees". The Times. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ "Costs for child abuse inquiry reach £30,000 a day - gov.scot". The Times. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ Cameron, Lucinda (29 September 2021). "Government delay setting up child abuse inquiry 'woeful and avoidable' – judge". The Evening Standard.
- ^ Minelle, Bethany (22 August 2023). "Nicky Campbell compares 'abusive' teacher at Edinburgh Academy to Jimmy Savile". Sky News.
- ^ Halley, John (30 August 2023). "A Judicial Monstering: Child Sex Abuse Cover Up And Corruption In Scotland". Amazon UK.