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Child protection action plan due to be set out Plans to tackle child sex abuse in Scotland announced
(about 1 hour later)
New plans to tackle child abuse are expected be announced by Scottish education secretary Michael Russell later. A national action plan to tackle child sex abuse has been announced by the Scottish government, amid a warning the problem is widespread.
It comes after calls from a number of charities for a national action plan. Education Secretary Mike Russell said a public awareness campaign formed part of a strategy to tackle the issue with "ruthless determination".
Concerns have been raised about systematic child sexual exploitation of the type uncovered in Rotherham.Concerns have been raised about systematic child sexual exploitation of the type uncovered in Rotherham.
A recent report by the Care Inspectorate in Scotland warned that agencies north of the border could not afford to be complacent. Several children's charities had called for a government action plan.
Meanwhile, Mr Russell said the government was still considering whether to hold a further inquiry into historic child sex abuse, and would reach a decision by Christmas.
A recent report by the Care Inspectorate in Scotland warned agencies north of the border they could not afford to be complacent.
In September, it was revealed 1,400 children had been abused in Rotherham in South Yorkshire between 1997 and 2013.In September, it was revealed 1,400 children had been abused in Rotherham in South Yorkshire between 1997 and 2013.
The Scottish government asked Jackie Brock, chief executive of the charity Children in Scotland, to carry out an assessment of Scotland's child protection system in the context of the UK government's inquiries into historic child sexual abuse. 'Never forget'
Her final report is due to be published later. Mr Russell told parliament the plan would involve issuing guidance to night-time workers, like taxi drivers and hotel staff, to help spot cases of child sexual exploitation.
It is expected to set out what needs to be done to protect Scotland's most vulnerable children. And he said further work would ensure a consistent approach across Scotland to support those trying to tackle the problem.
The education secretary is then due to address concerns raised in the report during a parliamentary statement at Holyrood. "Some dreadful things happened in Scotland over many years to children who deserved so much better from those in positions of trust," said Mr Russell.
He will say what the Scottish government plans to do next and how it will support the survivors of historic abuse. He added: "We must never forget what took place. We need to have an awareness of it that means it can never be repeated.
Last month, Police Scotland said it was setting up a National Child Abuse Investigation Unit to improve co-ordination and intelligence gathering. "We need to prosecute those who are guilty so they can never reoffend and we need to place in permanence the truth about who was accountable so that others never fail again."
The action plan was announced as children's charity Barnardo's said determined perpetrators would abuse a large number of children.
Helpline calls
Its director Martin Crewe, said: "We are certain that there is widespread child abuse, but what we don't know is the exact nature and prevalence of it.
"I don't think that the exact nature of Rotherham is happening in Scotland now."
Police have also insisted said systematic sexual abuse of children on the scale exposed in Rotherham was "absolutely not" happening in Scotland, but said there had been a large number of child rapes and hundreds of convictions for child sexual exploitation in the last year.
In January, the NSPCC children's charity highlighted a rise in sexual abuse cases in Scotland involving children under the age of 13.In January, the NSPCC children's charity highlighted a rise in sexual abuse cases in Scotland involving children under the age of 13.
Police Scotland recorded more than 700 offences against young children in 2012/13. The charity also reported a rise in calls to its helpline.Police Scotland recorded more than 700 offences against young children in 2012/13. The charity also reported a rise in calls to its helpline.