About the Bill
The Bill was introduced on 13 August 2020.
The Bill as introduced sets up a scheme to make financial payments (‘redress payments’) to survivors of historical child abuse in care in Scotland. In some circumstances where the survivor has died, these can be paid to their partner or children. The Bill sets up a new independent public body, Redress Scotland, to make decisions about payments. The scheme replaces an interim scheme called the advance payment scheme.
The Bill allows organisations involved with residential care of children in the past to pay financial contributions to the scheme. In return, survivors who accept a redress payment will have to agree not to take legal action against these organisations or the Scottish Government.
The Bill also provides survivors of abuse with other practical and emotional support.
The Bill and accompanying documents are below.
Stage 1 Report
The Committee published the Stage 1 report of the Bill on 9 December 2020. A link to the report is noted below along with an easy read summary of the report.
Stage 2
The Committee considered and finalised the Stage 2 amendments on 17 February 2021. Please find below the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill (As amended at Stage 2).
SPICe Briefings
SPICe briefing 16 September 2020
Stage 1
The Education and Skills Committee has been designated as the lead Committee for Stage 1 Scrutiny.
Your views
The Committee opened its call for evidence on the 24th August, the call for views closed on 2 October 2020.
30 September 2020
The Committee is heard evidence from the Redress Bill team and from Dr M O'Rourke on Irelands redress scheme.
You can view the video of the meeting here.
Dr O'Rourke and the Bill team both wrote to the Committee to provide additional information and evidence following the meeting on 30 September.
7 October 2020
The Committee heard evidence from two panels of witnesses. The first panel had representatives of the legal profession and the second panel had representatives from the Scottish Human Rights Commission, CELCIS, Social Work Scotland and Wellbeing Scotland.
You can view the video of the meeting here.
28 October 2020
The Committee heard evidence from organisations that work with survivors.
You can view the video of the meeting here
4 November 2020
The Committee heard from two panels. The first panel will have contributor organisations and OSCR, and in the second panel the Committee will hear from the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills.
You can view the video of the meeting here.
The Committee wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, following his evidence to the Committee on 4 November 2020. This sought clarification on a number of issues mentioned in the evidence session, including requesting additional information regarding the method/s being proposed to calculate ‘fair and meaningful’ contributions to the scheme. Both the original letter and the Cabinet Secretary’s response are attached below.
Stage 2
January 2021
The Committee heard evidence on Stage 2 of the Bill.
Yo can view the meeting here
The Committee received the following submission ahead of the Stage 2 evidence session.
The Committee also received a report commissioned by the Former Boys and Girls Abused in Quarriers Homes.
The Committee received the following submissions regarding the waiver.
10 February 2021
The Committee considered the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill Stage 2 amendments (day 1). A link to the Marshalled list of Amendments and Groupings of Amendments are noted below.
You can view the meeting here
17 February 2021
The Committee will consider the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill Stage 2 amendments (day 2). A link to the Marshalled list of Amendments and Groupings of Amendments are noted below.
You can view the meeting here
Stage 3
The Marshalled List of Amendments and Groupings of Amendments for Stage 3 can be read below.
The Chamber debate was held on 11 March 2021.
You can view the debate here.
Evidence
The call for views closed on 2 October 2020. You can read the submissions below.
Submissions:
Individuals
Anonymous Submissions
Organisations
Help and Support
We know that submitting evidence to this inquiry may be difficult for some people. There are a number of organisations that can provide support to those who have experienced abuse. Citizens Advice Scotland have listed a number of organisations on their website, including the following organisations who can provide support for adults who experienced abuse as children:
Future Pathways - offers help and support to people who were abused or neglected as children while living in care in Scotland.
Survivor Telephone: 0808 164 2005 (Monday to Friday 10.00am to 6.00pm)
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.future-pathways.co.uk/
National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) - offers support to adult survivors of all types of childhood abuse, including physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect.
Support line: 0808 801 0331
Monday to Thursday 10am to 9pm, Friday 10am to 6pm
Calls are free from landlines and mobiles. They will not show on a phone bill.
website: http://www.napac.org.uk/
Rape Crisis Scotland - provides free and confidential support and information for anyone affected by sexual violence
Tel: 0141 331 4180 (Monday-Friday 9.30am-4.30pm)
Free Helpline: 08088 01 03 02 (every day between 6pm and midnight)
Minicom: 0141 353 3091
Fax: 0141 332 2168
For support by email: [email protected]
General Email: [email protected]
Website: www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
Survivors UK - provide information, support and counselling for male victims/survivors of rape and sexual abuse
Text-based helpline: 020 3322 1860 (Monday to Friday from 10.30am to 9pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm)
WhatsApp-based helpline: 07491 816064
Office tel: 020 3598 3898 (Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5pm)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.survivorsuk.org
Correspondence
The Scottish Government Bill team sent the following correspondence. Please note you may find some of the content of this document distressing.
Work by other Committees
March 2021
The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee considered the bill. The report can be accessed here.
Report
The Committee published the Stage 1 report of the Bill on 9 December 2020. A link to the report and the response from the Scottish Government is noted below.
Debate
The Stage 1 debate for the bill took place on Thursday 17 December 2020. MSP's voted on the Bill and agreed it could continue.
You can view the debate here
March 2021
The Stage 3 debate is due to take place on the