SCOTLAND
Scotsman
TINA CAMPBELL
Friday 04 September 2015
The Catholic Church in Scotland is taking steps to tackle the problems of abuse and to help survivors, writes Tina Campbell
SINCE my appointment in 2013 as National Safeguarding Co-ordinator for the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, a church body that enables the bishops of the eight Scottish dioceses to work together, there have been several major initiatives:
Starting in 2013 there has been annual publication of all allegations reported each year. At the same time, a historical review of all case files of those against whom allegations were made between 1947 and 2015 was launched and, lastly, a review of safeguarding policies and practice was instituted.
The annual publication of the Audit of Allegations is now an essential part of the work of the Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Service (SCSS). The audits reflect a pattern of reporting many years after the abuse or other harm took place. This is consistent with the complex reasons why those who have been harmed find it difficult to disclose what happened to them. It is equally important that survivors of abuse feel confident that in reporting to the safeguarding teams within the Church, that they are both believed and that appropriate professional action is taken.
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