What support is offered by the NHS to the victims of grooming gangs in Scotland.

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all victims and survivors can access the help and support they need at a time they need it.The NHS provides care and support to meet the individual needs of each person, including victims of grooming gangs.Victims of grooming gangs can access mental health support via the NHS. People experiencing distress or who are in crisis should phone their GP surgery or, where possible, their usual mental health team in the first instance. They will make a referral for specialist or urgent care, if required. If they are unable to access mental health support that way, the NHS 24 Mental Health Hub is available 24/7 on 111, and they will direct people to the right help. Where there is an immediate risk or life
- or limb-threatening emergency, people should call 999 or go to their nearest A&E.Various supports may be offered depending on the individuals needs and circumstances, it is likely that psychological therapies and interventions may be offered as they are suitable for supporting people affected by trauma. The range of evidence based psychological treatments delivered in Scotland is set out in the Scottish Psychological Therapies Matrix and the National Specification for Psychological Therapies and Interventions sets out best practice in the provision of psychological services.The Scottish Government and the NHS in Scotland are prioritising support for victims of grooming gangs through a range of actions, some examples of which are set out below.The Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) (Scotland) Act 2021 (FMS Act) commenced on 1 April 2022. The FMS Act provides a statutory duty for health boards to provide forensic medical services for people who have experienced rape or sexual assault. The Act's implementation includes the establishment of a Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCS) in each health board, delivering person-centred, trauma-informed care.A Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCS) provides vital healthcare and forensic examination services for people in the days following rape or sexual assault. Over £18m has been invested since 2017 to ensure a SARCS is available in every health board. SARCS can also make onward referrals to ensure victims are given the most appropriate care including to sexual health services; primary care; secondary mental health services; and, third sector organisations like Rape Crisis Scotland.Our Bairns’ Hoose Programme is transforming the support available to children who experience, or witness, sexual abuse or exploitation. Bairns’ Hoose will give those children (and their families) access to coordinated health, recovery, justice and protection. Partnerships, including health partners across Scotland, are testing the approach ahead of incremental national rollout from 2027.As part of the National Guidance for Child Protection we developed with stakeholders the NHS Public Protection Accountability and Assurance Framework published in 2022. It is a vital tool for health boards in Scotland, promoting effective public protection practices and ensuring that vulnerable individuals such as those who are victims of grooming receive the necessary support and safeguarding from health services. nhs-public-protection-accountability-assurance-framework.pdfWe have made substantial progress in raising awareness of psychological trauma and embedding trauma-informed practice across Scottish services and workforces. This is emphasised within our Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and supported by over £14 million in investment since 2018 in the National Trauma Transformation Programme.