The Scottish Government has confirmed it will hold a national review into grooming gangs.
The review will be chaired by Professor Alexis Jay, the former chair of a national inquiry into child sexual abuse.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “Our thoughts are with victims of child abuse who have already suffered so much, this matter must be handled sensitively and with the utmost respect and consideration for their experiences.
“The issue of group-based sexual abuse and exploitation of children is sensitive and complex, and the Scottish Government has been giving it very detailed consideration.”
She continued: “We have been clear that we are prepared to give every consideration to an inquiry on this issue, and that any such decision needs to be based on information, evidence and a greater understanding of the scale and nature of this form of abuse and of the responses to it.
“Professor Alexis Jay has extensive expertise in this area, and her insights will be invaluable to Ministers as this work is taken forward.
“I have written to the leaders and spokespeople of other political parties to offer a briefing with Professor Jay and Police Scotland on this work in the new year.”
A Scottish Government spokesman confirmed the work of the national review will be undertaken alongside that of the independent Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, and ongoing work by Police Scotland to review previous cases, to gather evidence on the extent of group-related child sexual abuse and exploitation.
The Scottish Government will hold the enquiry
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Professor Alexis Jay will chair the enquiry in Scotland
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PAProfessor Jay said: “I am pleased to take on the role of Chair of the National Group, and to build on the excellent leadership of my predecessors, Iona Colvin and Sarah Taylor.
“There is much to do and do quickly. The work of the independent Inspectorates should provide the evidence for Scottish Ministers to determine whether further action is required to disrupt child sexual exploitation in Scotland.”
HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland, Craig Naylor, welcomed the announcement.
He said: “His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland welcome the announcement that along with the Care Inspectorate we will jointly lead an independent national review of responses to group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation.”
WATCH: Charlie Peters reports on the renewed focus on grooming gangs in Scotland
First Minister John Swinney has said he is “open” to launching a national inquiry into grooming gangs in Scotland.
The SNP leader had been under severe pressure to launch a nationwide probe after an alleged victim of grooming gangs wrote to him.
He lauded the survivor’s “courage” and urged victims to go to the police, previously stating the Scottish Government’s “position” on a grooming gangs inquiry will be stated before Christmas.
Speaking to media he said he has been briefed by police and a leading expert amid growing calls for such an inquiry, and he told the chamber his Government is “giving every serious consideration to this important issue.”