Abuse survivor redress bill goes out to views

The proposed scheme to compensate survivors of abuse of children in care has been put out for public views by a committee of MSPs. 

Holyrood's Education & Skills Committee is seeking views on the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill as it begins its stage 1 scrutiny.

The bill would create a financial redress scheme for survivors of historical child abuse in care in Scotland, under a new body, Redress Scotland. It is designed to offer both financial (e.g. money) and non-financial redress (e.g. apologies) to survivors. Financial awards would comprise payments at fixed levels between £10,000 and £80,000 depending on the extent of the abuse and its effects. (Click here for news item on the bill.)

While views are welcome on any aspect of the bill, the committee is particularly interested to hear submissions on:

• who will be eligible to apply to the scheme;
• the bill’s definitions of abuse, and of "in care";
• the dates used to define "historical abuse";
• the process of applying for redress and what advice and support applicants might need;
• the level of payments offered to survivors, and of contributions to the scheme from organisations responsible for abuse;
• the processes for dealing with applications to the scheme from people who have serious convictions, and from family members on behalf of survivors who have since died;
• how to ensure that non-financial redress (e.g. an apology) meets the needs of survivors.

Click here to view the call for evidence. The deadline for submissions is 5pm on 2 October 2020.