City council has specific services for current and historic abuse victims

DAVE i s one of several people who believes that more could be done to help those facing issues like this.

“What is very clear is the lack of resources and awareness around this,” he said. “We need to be seen to be doing something positive i n helping people report these crimes.

“Dundee has been leading the way in Scotland to get sentences increased for sex offenders but things are just getting worse.”

He added: “It says a lot when the biggest rape centre in Scotland is only open from 6pm till midnight.”

A spokesman for Dundee City Council said: “We have two specific services for reporting i ncidents of abuse.

“A dedicated child protection line – 01382 307999 – relates specifically to reporting concerns about children who are currently at risk.

“While our immediate priority is to prevent any further abuse, some people may be aware of adults who abused them having current contact with children.

“Dundee City Council’s first contact service is 01382 434019.

“Calls are assessed in respect of immediate risk but, if an adult wishes to speak about incidents of past abuse, this is the point of contact.

“In the first instance they would be encouraged to report this to the police.

“However, as an alternative they can be directed to Future Pathways or encouraged to make a subject access request for their records.

“Future Pathways can be contacted on 0808 164 2005 or at futurepathways.co.uk

“The Dundee protecting people team has a worker who supports individuals to make sense of their care experience and supports them with working through the options available to them in respect of incidents of historical abuse.

“Over the last 12 months we have directly supported a number of adults with such experiences and are working with them to help further develop our services and responses in the future.”