MSPS seek views on child abuse redress bill

MSPS are seeking opinions on proposed legislation aimed at offering financial redress for victims of historic child abuse in care.

The Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill was introduced earlier this month and aims to offer financial payments of up to £80,000 for people who were the victim of abuse in a care setting before December 2004.

As the bill enters its early stages, the Scottish Parliament’s education and skills committee has launched a consultation.

Committee convener Clare Adamson said: “This is an important piece of legislation that seeks to provide practical measures to address the harm caused by historical child abuse in care in Scotland.

“The bill aims to treat survivors with dignity and respect. The Scottish Government says it is part of facing up to the wrongs of the past with compassion.

“We want to hear views on whether thebill will achieve what it sets out to do and whether the Bill will create an effective redress scheme for survivors.”

Expected to cost up to £400 million, the scheme will also provide a fixed rate payment of £10,000 if victims would prefer, which would require less investigation into the circumstances of the abuse suffered.