£9m fund for child abuse survivors

The Scottish Government has announced extra funding for an organisation that supports adult survivors of childhood abuse while they were in care in Scotland.

Up to £9 million is being given to Future Pathways, which works with organisations from the statutory and voluntary sectors, to provide support such as education or training courses, therapeutic services or psychological trauma counselling.

Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey said: “The support provided by Future Pathways is vital to help people abused or neglected as children while in care to lead full, healthy and independent lives. It’s one of a number of initiatives which the government is funding to support those abused while in care.”

Flora Henderson, of Future Pathways, said: “This welcome announcement will allow for further continued support to survivors of historical child abuse in care.

“Future Pathways offers tailored support to survivors of abuse or neglect and helps them to lead full, healthy and independent lives. Although more than 1,400 survivors have already registered with us, we know there are more people out there who have had similar experiences and who could benefit from our help.”