Report: Scotland must learn lessons from Rotherham

A Barnardo’s Scotland report has called on government and child protection agencies to learn the lessons from the Rotherham Inquiry by recognising the need for a specific child protection response to child sexual exploitation.

The charity also calls on agencies with child protection responsibilities in Scotland to ensure that there is a recognition, at every level, that sex between an adult and a child under 16 is always wrong and that it is not the child’s responsibility to say ‘no’.

Martin Crewe, Director of Barnardo’s Scotland, said: “We know child sexual exploitation is happening across Scotland. We know how devastating it can be. We know charities and support agencies are aware of the problem and are working to put the necessary infrastructure in place to tackle child sexual exploitation. But as part of this process, we all need to heed the warning and learn the lessons from Rotherham if we are to be certain that we are all doing our best to protect children from this horrific form of abuse in Scotland.

The Barnardo’s Scotland report is designed to be challenging for local and central government, and all agencies concerned with child protection.

Martin Crewe adds: “If there is one fundamental lesson from Rotherham it is that we cannot be complacent about child sexual exploitation in Scotland.”

Barnardo’s Scotland runs specialist child sexual exploitation services around Scotland and has successfully campaigned for action on child sexual exploitation in the Scottish Parliament.  

Click here to download the report.