Holyrood group protecting at-risk children in chaos after expert quits
Resignations linked to influence of charity
A parliamentary group launched to help protect some of Scotland’s most vulnerable children is in turmoil after a series of resignations, including one of the country’s leading child trauma experts.
Dr Suzanne Zeedyk stood down from Holyrood’s crossparty group on the Prevention and Healing of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) last week after becoming increasingly concerned about its work. The departure of one of the country’s foremost experts comes after that of group convenor, Scottish Conservative MSP Sue Webber, Webber’s predecessor as convenor, SNP MSP Rona Mackay, and her colleague MSP Karen Adams.
Zeedyk told The Post she had left over concerns about the group’s involvement with the charity Wave Trust. Webber, Mackay and Adams told The Post they share some of her concerns.
Wave Trust, which has members on the group, campaigns for a 70% reduction in adverse childhood experiences by 2030. They are stressful events in childhood including domestic violence, parental abandonment through separation or divorce, or having a parent with a drug or alcohol abuse problem.
The cross-party group (CPG) was set up to raise awareness of new research and best practice, provide MSPS with information, evidence and solutions, and persuade MSPS to implement preventative policies.
In her resignation letter, Zeedyk said she had “reflected upon other resignations” and was concerned Wave Trust failed to consider sexual abuse an adverse childhood experience.
Calling for the CPG to be disbanded, she said: “We simply cannot afford to get it wrong if we are to have any realistic prospect of tackling ACES. That is why we must listen to all, not just one group with a single focus. The Wave Trust has promoted what it is in favour of, which is its 70/30 campaign, to eradicate 70% of childhood abuse by 2030, and then put forward the idea for a Commission of Inquiry.
“I don’t support the 70/30 campaign or the commission. If we’re going to have a campaign to reduce child maltreatment, why are we only focusing on 70% of children? Why not 100%? How does the Wave Trust propose eradicating 70% by 2030 when that date is so close, and why did it not want to include children who suffered sexual abuse?”
Webber said her resignation was prompted by “similar concerns” while Mackay said: “Dr Zeedyk has reflected some of my concerns. We must see a properly constituted group as this is vital work being done.”
Adam said: “I resigned because I also had concerns, particularly over the failure to include victims of childhood sexual abuse which is clearly ludicrous given the lifelong effect it has on survivors.”
Wave Trust operations director George Hosking said it was now including childhood sexual abuse in its programme.
Insisting he has “huge respect” for Zeedyk, Hosking said: “She said she disagrees with our strategy, describing it as poorly conceived. I spent my working life driving forward many national and multinational companies, including turning around 29 loss-making companies into profit. So when it comes to strategy, I do have a track record.
“No matter what happens to the CPG, we will be pushing ahead with the Commission of Inquiry because we are determined to make a difference. We aim to report on our findings by next spring.”
The resignations sparked letters of concern to the Scottish Parliament’s Standards Committee. Convenor Martin Whitfield said: “I’ve asked the clerks to write to the CPG asking who the convenor, deputy and secretariat will be. Following receipt of that information the situation will be reviewed.”