Now victims of child abuse could be paid £270k apiece
VICTIMS of child abuse could get £270,000 under a compensation scheme that may cost £200million.
Experts reporting to Deputy First Minister John Swinney said next-of-kin of deceased victims should benefit.
They recommended emergency payments to sick or older victims and said religious organisations must contribute to the fund.
The plans come as the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry scrutinises allegations of historical institutional child abuse.
A review group set up by the Scottish Government to look at a potential redress scheme has made 14 recommendations. They have been presented to Mr Swinney by the InterAction Action Plan Review Group, and the Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland (CELCIS).
It follows a national consultation with victims, 99 per cent of whom backed a compensation scheme.
The review said: ‘Victims/survivors who answered this question consider that all those responsible should contribute, includschemes ing the Scottish Government, residential and foster care providers, local authorities which placed children in care and those which provided care placements, and religious bodies responsible for care services.’
The review suggested a combination payment, involving a flatrate standard sum along with an individual experience payment, taking account of the severity and consequences of the abuse.
It recommended advance payments for elderly and ill victims and that next-of-kin of deceased victims should be eligible to apply. The report highlighted redress around the world which could be followed by Scotland, including one in the Republic of Ireland where maximum payments were about £270,000.
Ministers were unable to say how much could be spent on redress, but there have been estimates it could cost at least £200million. Professor Andrew Kendrick, chairman of the review group, said: ‘There has been a clear message from victims/survivors who gave their views in this consultation and this is an important step in addressing the need for financial compensation/redress.’
The consultation was commissioned in January last year and ended in November.
Among those represented on the review group was Former Boys and Girls Abused In Quarriers.
Dave Whelan, on behalf of the group, said: ‘We seek the full implementation of all recommendations without further delay.’
Mr Swinney said: ‘I am profoundly grateful to the Review Group and CELCIS for bringing forward a substantial and serious piece of work based upon significant engagement with survivors.
‘We will give the recommendations early, detailed and sensitive consideration, and report back to parliament in due course.’
But survivors’ group White Flowers Alba said the consultation had been a ‘farce’ as it was not involved and questioned how claims of alleged abuse would be verified.