Scots abuse survivors payments of up to £80,000 under new laws

Survivors of historical child abuse in Scotland's care system will be able to claim up to £80,000 in "redress" payments under proposed new laws.

John Swinney says survivors were "failed" by the system

Ministers say it will mean a "faster alternative" to civil court claims and will also provide access to therapy for survivors.

The family of survivors will also be allowed to claim for a payment of £10,000 in certain cases, it has emerged.

The Scottish Government is seeking "contributions" towards these payments from organisations involved in the care of victims at the time of the abuse.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “For decades, many children were failed by the institutions and people entrusted to look after them. Financial redress is an important part of doing what we can to address these failings.

“The Redress for Survivors Bill will acknowledge and provide tangible recognition of harm as a result of historical child abuse in various residential care settings in Scotland. It will provide elements of accountability, justice and financial redress for those who wish to access it. The Bill seeks to put in place a scheme which treats survivors with dignity and respect and which faces up to the past with compassion."

The Bill applies to those who were abused as children in residential care settings before December 2004.

Survivors can apply for a fixed rate redress payment of £10,000 or an individually assessed redress payment which will involve a more detailed examination of their experience. The individually assessed redress payment levels are set at £20,000, £40,000 or £80,000.

A long running public inquiry into young Scots who were abused in care home settings is now into its fifth phase. It has already published findings which set out widespread abuse in a number of homes run by the Sisters of Nazareth and Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul over many decades.

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