The next petition is PE1551, on mandatory reporting of child abuse, which was submitted by Scott Pattinson. His most recent submission, which outlines some of his concerns about progress on the issue, is included in our meeting papers. Some options are set out in the paper on the petition. Do members have any suggestions for action on the petition?
Official Report · Committee
Continued Petitions
Child Abuse (Mandatory Reporting) (PE1551)
Speakers
Choose an MSP to read only their contributions- Johann Lamont Lab 5
- Maurice Corry Con 2
- Brian Whittle Con 2
- Angus MacDonald SNP 1
The record
10 contributionsThere is a strong argument for asking the United Kingdom Government to update us on when it expects to report on the outcome of its consultation. We can also ask the Scottish Government to provide further information on how it intends to engage with the UK Government on the issue of mandatory reporting of child abuse, now that the consultation has closed.
I agree with both suggestions.
They seem reasonable. I am struck by the fact that there is not complete agreement among organisations representing young people that mandatory reporting is the right way to go and that there are issues with mandatory reporting that they are concerned about. At the same time, I understand the point being made by the petitioner and survivors that organisations and institutions do not pay attention to what is happening. There is clearly an issue that we hope will be looked at further by the Scottish Government or the Parliament at some point.
I am unclear about the people who are raising the issues around mandatory reporting. It seems to me that the ones who would prefer it are the ones whose cases are historical rather than the ones whose cases are immediate. Am I reading that wrong?
Do you mean survivors?
Yes. People looking back, historically, would like this reported, but what about those who are involved in it at the moment?
What struck me about the petition is that it deals with two separate things, the first of which is people who have concerns not being sure where to go. If, say, a school teacher or someone who worked in a children’s organisation is a bit concerned but does not know where to go, they might not do anything about their concerns, but such a duty puts an obligation on them to pass them on. There is then a separate issue about the extent to which people who wish to abuse children choose to work in certain organisations because, historically, they are places where abusers have been able to operate. The question is whether mandatory reporting will concentrate people’s minds on their obligation when they have a problem but do not know where to go or will address the question of institutions being places that can offer an opportunity for abuse.
There are really difficult issues on both sides. I was struck by the fact that children’s organisations are of the view that mandatory reporting might create a problem for the young person. It would be interesting to get the Scottish Government’s views on that. I am not sure why the Scottish Government wants to wait for the UK Government to take a position on the issue when, I presume, it could do something right now. It would be interesting to get its general view on the issue.
The fact is that the organisations are UK wide and the UK Government is drawing together all the historical knowledge and information. I think that the Scottish Government has to know the UK Government’s finding before it can come to a decision, as there may be something—some kernels of information—in it that would be helpful. I would certainly support that.
Okay. Are we agreed that we will contact the UK Government and the Scottish Government, asking for an update on where they are?
Members indicated agreement.
In this meeting
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