Questionnaire launched ahead of InterAction
People from across Scotland who have been affected by historic child abuse in care are being asked to fill out a questionnaire ahead of an important meeting aimed at bringing justice a step closer.
The Scottish Human Rights Commission has commissioned CELCIS, the Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland at the University of Strathclyde to gather the views of people affected by historic abuse in a new online questionnaire.
The questionnaire is being publicised ahead of a meeting on 28 February that will bring together abuse survivors, institutions and former institutions, the Scottish Government and residential workers affected by abuse. The “InterAction” meeting will take in discussions and negotiations taking place around forming an action plan that will set out what actions different organisations can take to bring about justice for survivors.
Moyra Hawthorne of CELCIS said: “Ahead of the InterAction meeting we would like to gather the views of a wide range of people whose lives have been affected by historic child abuse 'in care'.
“The information we receive is important, and will help develop the action plan that will outline steps to advance access to justice for people affected by historic child abuse while in care in Scotland. This could also include partners, children and friends of people who have been affected by abuse as well as people who used to work in residential children’s homes, and people who worked in children’s services.
“All responses are confidential and we have advisors ready to help if people need support.”
The questionnaire applies to people who were:
- In residential care as a child
- In foster care as a child
- Adopted as a child
- In any other form of institution or child care service
- A residential care practitioners or managers
- Currently fostering children
- Adopted a child
- Working in children’s services
- Been involved in the residential, foster care or adoption of children in any other way
The questionnaire can be filled out online at the project website - www.shrcinteraction.org - or sent to individuals by post.
In order for a contribution to be considered at the first InterAction meeting on 28 February, questionnaires should be returned by 15 February. Questionnaires returned after this date will be welcomed and will be considered for the second InterAction meeting which will take place later in the year.
http://www.shrcinteraction.org/ or call 0141 444 8551 to request a copy of the form.