The upcoming statutory inquiry, to be led by Prof Alexis Jay, was ordered in February following intense political pressure but has yet to demonstrate meaningful progress to victims. Education Secretary Màiri McAllan maintained that child safeguarding remains a core government priority and that the probe will wield full investigatory powers. Holly Alex, who suffered abuse by dozens of men while in care, cautioned that the term grooming gang must not be politicized to target specific ethnicities. A previous national review published in September highlighted that Scotland lacks a clear picture of these crimes due to missing definitions and patchy data collection.
Key points
Survivors are urging the Scottish government to accelerate the inquiry rather than paying…: Survivors are urging the Scottish government to accelerate the inquiry rather than paying lip service to past abuse.
The upcoming investigation will carry full statutory powers to determine the true scale o…: The upcoming investigation will carry full statutory powers to determine the true scale of group exploitation across Scotland.
Advocates warn against narrowing the inquiry's focus to specific ethnicities, defining gr…: Advocates warn against narrowing the inquiry's focus to specific ethnicities, defining grooming gangs as two or more abusers regardless of race.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
- Published
A survivor of grooming gang abuse has accused the Scottish government of taking too long to deliver the public inquiry it promised "at pace" almost nine months ago.
Holly Alex, 36, went into care at the age of 14 after her stepfather went to prison and her relationship with her mother broke down.
Holly's social care records, seen by BBC Scotland News, show that staff recorded concerns that she was being "groomed" for sex by "adult Asian men" as a teenager. They also indicate social workers and police knew of the risks she faced.
Education Secretary Màiri McAllan said safeguarding children was the government's priority, and the planned statutory inquiry was a core part of this work.
The Scottish government ordered a public inquiry into grooming gangs in February following mounting political pressure.
Between the ages of 14 and 17, Holly lived in five different children's homes across Edinburgh.
Police Scotland has confirmed it was made aware of some reports made by Holly during this time period and an investigation is ongoing.
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