Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry to Hold First Phase 11 Hearings on Child-on-Child Abuse in December

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry is moving into Phase 11, which will start public hearings on December 8 and concentrate on abuse perpetrated by children in care against other children. Titled “Protecting children in care in Scotland from abuse: present and future,” the phase will scrutinise institutional failures and explore preventative strategies, programmes and approaches. Witnesses will include representatives from national agencies, third-sector groups, residential childcare providers, scholars and clinical psychologists.

A subsequent chapter scheduled for the following year will consider grooming and exploitation that took place outside of foster homes or placements. Chair Lady Smith noted that the inquiry has already gathered extensive evidence of sexual, physical and emotional abuse by both peers and caregivers, and she wants this segment to probe the underlying reasons for peer-on-peer abuse. The inquiry aims to raise public awareness and covers abuse incidents up to December 17 2014.