MSPs call on Scottish Government to develop national strategy for tackling child sex exploitation
THE Public Petitions Committee called
for new research into the nature and scope of child sex exploitation in
Scotland and new Government guideline for dealing with it.
>> The inquiry called for a national strategy for tackling child sex exploitation
SCOTLAND needs a national strategy for tackling child sexual exploitation, according to a Holyrood committee.
An inquiry by the Public Petitions Committee found that at times there can be a "piecemeal approach" to the issue, with a lack of co-ordination among groups and organisations working in this area.
It also found that further research is needed to reveal the full extent of child sexual exploitation.
The committee's inquiry was launched following a petition from charity Barnardo's Scotland, calling for new research into the nature and scope of the problem in Scotland and new Scottish Government guidelines for dealing with it.
Further recommendations from the committee include establishing refuges for young victims across the country and establishing education programmes in schools.
It has also suggested mandatory training for frontline and specialist police officers on the legislative options available to them to disrupt the perpetrators of exploitation.
Committee convener David Stewart MSP said: "During the course of this inquiry our committee has heard some difficult, and at times challenging, evidence about child sexual exploitation in Scotland.
"We received powerful first-hand accounts which were anonymised and included in full in our report.
"The committee recognises that although there is a lot of positive work being done, it can be piecemeal. It lacks the clear leadership and co-ordination needed to tackle effectively the sexual exploitation of our children.
"There is also the very real danger that child sexual exploitation will continue to be a hidden problem in Scotland, which is why further research must be carried out to establish the scale of the problem and how best to shape services to address it."
SCOTLAND needs a national strategy for tackling child sexual exploitation, according to a Holyrood committee.
An inquiry by the Public Petitions Committee found that at times there can be a "piecemeal approach" to the issue, with a lack of co-ordination among groups and organisations working in this area.
It also found that further research is needed to reveal the full extent of child sexual exploitation.
The committee's inquiry was launched following a petition from charity Barnardo's Scotland, calling for new research into the nature and scope of the problem in Scotland and new Scottish Government guidelines for dealing with it.
Further recommendations from the committee include establishing refuges for young victims across the country and establishing education programmes in schools.
It has also suggested mandatory training for frontline and specialist police officers on the legislative options available to them to disrupt the perpetrators of exploitation.
Committee convener David Stewart MSP said: "During the course of this inquiry our committee has heard some difficult, and at times challenging, evidence about child sexual exploitation in Scotland.
"We received powerful first-hand accounts which were anonymised and included in full in our report.
"The committee recognises that although there is a lot of positive work being done, it can be piecemeal. It lacks the clear leadership and co-ordination needed to tackle effectively the sexual exploitation of our children.
"There is also the very real danger that child sexual exploitation will continue to be a hidden problem in Scotland, which is why further research must be carried out to establish the scale of the problem and how best to shape services to address it."
dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/msps-call-scottish-government-develop-3021169
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