Scottish Grooming Gangs Inquiry: giving survivors an opportunity to be heard
By David Greenwood
Survivors of group-based child sexual exploitation in Scotland are being invited to come forward and share their experiences. We want to ensure their voices are heard and the failures that allowed abuse to happen are properly examined.
The Scottish Grooming Gangs Inquiry is a dedicated, Scotland‑specific investigation into group‑based child sexual abuse and exploitation, separate from both the UK‑wide Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs and the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.
Switalskis is representing three survivors of group-based child sexual exploitation and has previously represented more than 100 survivors in recent Inquiries into child sexual abuse in England.
We are now seeking to hear from survivors who experienced exploitation in Scotland and may wish to share their stories with the Inquiry. Survivors will be able to give their accounts anonymously, allowing them to speak openly and honestly about what happened to them and the organisations that failed to protect them.
Giving survivors the opportunity to be heard
It is important that survivors are able speak frankly about the failures of the organisations responsible for protecting children, including the police, education providers, social services and the NHS.
By sharing their experiences, survivors can help the Inquiry understand where systems and safeguarding processes failed, the impact this had on individuals and what needs to change to prevent similar abuse from happening in the future.
Switalskis clients will have access to relevant documentation submitted to the Inquiry and will have the opportunity to have questions raised on their behalf. This provides an opportunity for survivors to contribute to the inquiry process and ensure their experiences are properly considered.
How Switalskis can help
Coming forward to share experiences of childhood sexual exploitation can be difficult. We understand that every survivor's circumstances are different and that people may have concerns about revisiting the past or speaking about what happened to them.
Our specialist abuse solicitors have extensive experience supporting survivors through major inquiries into child sexual abuse. We will provide guidance and support throughout the process, helping survivors understand their options and how they can participate.
If you experienced group-based child sexual exploitation in Scotland and would like to find out more about sharing your experiences anonymously, please contact me by emailing david.greenwood@switalskis.com .
You do not have to decide whether to participate straight away. An initial conversation can help you understand what is involved and the support available.
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Find out how Switalskis can help you
At Switalskis, our specialist abuse lawyers have decades of experience in representing survivors of child sexual exploitation. We understand that such cases are very emotional for clients and often legally complex, therefore we are dedicated to providing a supportive and professional environment in which our clients can feel confident in our services. We are committed to ensuring our clients receive the compensation they deserve.
If you have been impacted and would like to discuss your experience in confidence, our specialist abuse team can help. Call 0800 1380 458 or email help@switalskis.com.
David has worked in the legal sector for 30 years. He is a Solicitor, Director and Head of Switalskis' Child Abuse Compensation department.
