The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has announced that Phase 11 of its work, which will include examining grooming gangs and the exploitation of children in care, will begin public hearings in December. The first chapter of the Phase 11 public hearings starts on December 8 and will focus on children who abuse other children.
Focus on Protecting Children in Care
Phase 11 of the inquiry will consider the failures of institutions to protect children in care from abuse and what further steps are needed to strengthen protection. The first chapter of the hearings will look at abuse between children in residential care settings, as well as strategies, programmes and approaches to prevent such abuse.
The inquiry will hear from national agencies, third sector organisations, residential childcare providers, academics and clinical psychologists. Hearings relating to issues that could include grooming or exploitation that took place outside the child's placement or foster home will form part of another chapter of evidence in Phase 11 next year.
Exploring Why Abuse Happens
Lady Smith, who chairs the inquiry, said: "The inquiry has already heard much evidence about children in all types of care settings having been abused sexually, physically and emotionally by other children, as well as by individuals responsible for their care."
She added: "Such evidence has been presented in many of our case studies, and I have made numerous findings about it. In this chapter of Phase 11, I want to explore the important question of why it happens."
The inquiry aims to raise public awareness about the abuse of children in care. It covers the period which is within living memory of any person who suffered such abuse, up until December 17 2014.
