To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Reference Group has met since its first meeting in September 2005 and whether it has had any meetings since 17 March 2006 and, if so, whether it will publish the minutes of such meetings on the Executive's website.
There have been 12 meetings of the group since its inception in September 2005 and minutes appear on the websiteafter they have been formally cleared.
The remit of the group focuseson addressing the adult needs of those who have been sexually abused as children.However, it is recognised that sexual abuse may incorporate psychological and physicalabuse.
The expertise of the Cross PartyGroup was used to define the core membership, which is largely unaltered. Some additionswere made, for example, a representative from the Scottish Association for MentalHealth. There are currently 25 members, 17 of whom are external, representing healthand local authorities, and the following of voluntary sector groups: the Moira AndersonFoundation; Kingdom Abuse Survivors Project, No More Secrets; SAY Women; VictimSupport Scotland; M-Line, and Children 1st. Given the sensitivity, memberswho are abuse survivors are not identified but some have experience of being incare settings. There have been no resignations.
To ensure that the strategy isco-ordinated, there are six Scottish Executive members representing community care,sexual and mental health, criminal justice and children and families. In additionthere are two lead professionals (each employed one day per week) whose role isto implement agreed action points as laid out in the Strategy and agreed with theReference Group. One of the lead professionals has been employed in other areasof the Scottish Executive to conduct research in the past.
In addition to full membership,relevant speakers and other contributors are co-opted to task groups as necessary.Other organisations wishing to contribute to the strategy implementation will beable to do so through the forthcoming national conference on 28 February and throughthe expanding network to be routed through the website.
It is anticipated that the ReferenceGroup will conclude its business by April 2009.