New scheme to help adult survivors of child abuse

A NEW training scheme for staff helping adult survivors of child abuse was launched today following “significantly increased” reporting of cases since the Jimmy Savile investigation was launched.

The Scottish Government is providing up to £150,000 for the scheme led by Glasgow-based charity Roshni, which supports ethnic minority adult survivors of child abuse.

The online project has been developed with the Scottish

Association for Mental Health and the Scottish charity Health in Mind.

A statement by Roshni said the project would increase knowledge and understanding of childhood sexual abuse and help provide “an effective and sensitive response” to adult survivors, including men and those from minority ethnic groups.

A spokeswoman said: “The media attention in the wake of the Jimmy Savile investigation has generated a number of issues around the reporting and disclosure of childhood sexual abuse as well as support for adult survivors.

“The number of reported incidents of child abuse has significantly increased since the high-profile coverage of the case.”

Scottish Government figures show there was a near four-fold increase in reported sexual

assaults against 13 to 15-year-olds in 2011-12 to 245 compared with the previous year.

Such assaults against younger children increased by more than three times to 384.

Public health minister Michael Matheson, who launched the initiative, said: “The Scottish Government is committed to the health and well being of adult survivors of childhood abuse.

“With organisations reporting a rise in the number of adults who are now finding the courage to talk about their experiences of child abuse, we are continuing to take action to support adult survivors, not only to deal with the past, but also to move on with their lives in the future.

“Through programmes like this, we are ensuring frontline workers across the health, social work and other local agencies, are equipped in their role of supporting adult survivors.

“I would like to thank Roshni, Health in Mind and the Scottish Association for Mental Health for their considerable work in developing this unique initiative and am pleased the Scottish Government has been able to support this programme.”

Roshni chair Ali Khan said: “By bravely speaking out, survivors of abuse do a great public service in raising awareness of child sexual abuse and its long-lasting effects on survivors.

“Abuse cuts across all communities, regardless of ethnicity or religion. It is imperative all adult survivors who disclose have access to effective and culturally sensitive services.”

The charity said one in five women and one in ten men are estimated to have been sexually abused as children.