Inquiry into the abuse of children in Scottish state schools.

What it asks

What the petitioner did first

1. 25 Apr 2019
   Public Petitions Committee

   New Petition
   1 mention

1. Scotland127 73.4%
2. United Kingdom36 20.8%
3. England9 5.2%
4. Jersey1 0.6%

1. Marie Larkin 23 Feb 2019
   This abuse needs to be addressed publicly and properly. The abusers need to face up to what they have done and be punished correctly. This abuse cannot continue to be ignored.
2. Clare Chalmers 24 Feb 2019
   There should definitely be an inquiry into this issue. Many parents are coming forward with unacceptable stories of abuse that has gone unrecorded and unchecked for too long.
   Children often have no legal remit, particularly those vulnerable children that require the most care and attention.
3. Mandy Mitchelmore 24 Feb 2019
   Yes an urgent enquiry- a family member has been secluded and restrained
   - we knew nothing about it until a young girl with autism wrote down what she saw. Being a teacher I trusted the teachers who were looking after my family member- 3 years of degrading isolation- unexplained bruising and them witnessing violence has left them traumatised. Apparently it was part of their day and no big deal- no respect at all fir young people with complex needs- accountability fir those that make these decisions and enact them without any care to the impact should not bend allowed to work with young vulnerable children:
   Everyone in these settings will cover and corraborate until their is a culture of acceptance of abuse
   - nobody will speak out because they fear for their jobs and repercussions- councils fear for their reputations before what is just and right.
4. Beth Morrison 24 Feb 2019
   We definitley need to look at the way children, particularly very young children or children with additional support needs and disabilities are able to disclose abuse. Children whoo have limited communication skills or are non verbal which is often the case when looking at abuse of disabled children are discriminated against because in the absence of that child witness testimony, I have been told by those extremely high up in Scotlands criminal justice system that the standard of evidence cannot be reached. Even if there is medical, photographic and even expert witness reports, the way the law stands right now means that no prosecution will be made if the child cannot be interviewed or is deemed to lack the mental capacity to be interviewed. Even worse is that anything those children try to disclose to adults they trust (parents, teachers or doctors) is considered "hearsay" and is not admissable. Families are telling me that they believe staff in schools are robustly protected by councils and the state. If children were being physically harmed at home, parents would be liable to prosecution. We urgenty need to to look at the accountability of staff in schools, right now, it certainly feels as if there is none.
5. Gillian Tosh 24 Feb 2019
   It's disgusting that children are not being protected.Things still need to change.
6. Pauline Kinsman 25 Feb 2019
   No abuse should be swept under the carpet, no matter the perpetrator.
7. Heather tyre 27 Feb 2019
   Children are vulnerable and must be protected
8. sarah french 6 Mar 2019
   its discusting that this is still happening Why???
9. Lynn Davidson 7 Mar 2019
   So proud of you for taking this forward to Parliament and facing up to your demons.
10. Martin Davidson 7 Mar 2019
    Well done Maryanne! May you find justice for yourself and others.
11. Jill Roberts 8 Mar 2019
    No more cover ups
12. James Fyfe 8 Mar 2019
    Let's put a stop to ruining people's lives for the sexual gratification of sick adults
13. Gary Cameron Harkins 8 Mar 2019
    I'm embarrassed that nothing has been done but after the Celtic Boys Club abuse scandal and the SNP doing nothing I'm not suprised that someone has had to start a petition. Children should be protected no matter what.
14. John Chapman 9 Mar 2019
    Fully support this petition
15. Malcolm Hankins 9 Mar 2019
    As an abuse survivor myself, I agree that there should be an inquiry. There should not be any member of staff from any school involved in the inquiry & most certainly no men.
16. Lynda Greig 9 Mar 2019
    Let's stop the abuse of children so we can stop trying to fix broken adults that we let down
17. Jim Ellis 9 Mar 2019
    Children should be protected
18. Patricia Hewitt 15 Mar 2019
    I wholehartly agree with this Petition . State Schools must be investigated . Those who were abused must be provided with support . So many lives totally wasted due to the closing of ranks and systems that should have protected the child being ignored .We must have laws that are effective in the case of mental and physical abuse .
19. Karen Flynn 16 Mar 2019
    Under GIRFEC and UNRC when have a legal and moral obligation to protect our children. He also have an obligation to support the survivors of abuse and also ensure that perpetrators are stopped from every having the opportunity to repeat their actions.
20. Alan Parker 16 Mar 2019
    The inquiry should go ahead, without question. Where there is evidence of abuse, it should be thoroughly investigated and the abusers held to account. The Scottish Government has a duty to initiate this first step and empower people who deserve to be heard.
21. Lisa Nicol 18 Mar 2019
    Fully support
22. George Gilchrist 18 Mar 2019
    Petitions like this really shouldn't be necessary, but as they are, more than happy to support
23. Mary Milne 22 Mar 2019
    The law of corroboration, deemed insuperable by law lords themselves excludes the majority of victims access to justice. Reform of corroboration is urgently needed to remove artificial barriers to the prosecution of CSA & rape. Only 12% of reported rape prosecuted in Scotland & the main reason given is the corroboration test.
24. John McCormack 22 Mar 2019
    We are on a journey towards zero tolerance and full transparency. Abusers have to understand that there are no institutions immune from investigation.
25. Fiona pratt 25 Mar 2019
    Fully support .