What assessment it has made of the availability of emergency accommodation and specialist trauma support for people affected by group-based…

The Scottish Government recognises the significant and lasting impact that sexual abuse and exploitation can have on victims and survivors and is committed to ensuring they receive appropriate support. Such support must be tailored to the needs of victims and survivors; therefore, the nature of support provided and who is responsible for providing that support is dependent on factors such as the type of harm experienced, the age of the victim/survivor and where they live.For child victims and survivors, we continue to work with partners across local government, health, justice and the third sector to strengthen responses to child sexual abuse and exploitation and improve outcomes for those affected. Recent work includes the publication of the National Review of Group-Based Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation and the establishment of a statutory inquiry chaired by Professor Alexis Jay, which will help inform future improvements to prevention, identification, protection and support arrangements for victims and survivors.Through the national implementation of Bairns’ Hoose, the Scottish Government is supporting access to coordinated, trauma-informed justice, health, care and recovery services for children affected by abuse and exploitation, with the aim that all children who need a Bairns’ Hoose can access a consistent response regardless of where they live in Scotland.The Scottish Government has also committed to establishing a Truth Project, providing survivors with a meaningful opportunity to share their experiences and help shape future policy and practice. Survivors are offered wraparound support to share their testimony, which is then analysed, summarised, anonymised and published with the findings used to inform future policy.Adult victims trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation can access crisis accommodation in line with the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015. The Scottish Government provides funding to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to deliver a national specialist psychological trauma therapy service for adult victims of human trafficking and exploitation.Through the Victim-Centred Approach Fund we have awarded over £75m to victims’ organisations for the period 2022-2027 to fund provision of practical and emotional support to victims, survivors, and witnesses of crime across Scotland. We have also provided funding of over £650k to trauma specialists at Public Services Delivery Scotland to develop and support implementation of a Trauma Informed Justice Knowledge and Skills Framework for the justice workforce.Across Scotland, local authorities are legally obliged to offer advice and assistance to people who are at risk of or are experiencing homelessness, and temporary accommodation if it is needed. Interim or emergency accommodation can be provided while the council assesses a household’s situation.