Campaigners have urged the Scottish government to launch an independent inquiry into the “mishandling” of child safeguarding allegations by public bodies.
In a new petition, they also make the case for “an independent national whistleblowing officer for education and children’s services” to handle such enquiries.
Submitted by whistleblowers and their supporters, the petition calls on the Scottish Parliament to push for an investigation into the handling of child protection and abuse allegations by bodies, including local authorities and the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).
The signatories - Neil McLennan, Christine Scott, Alison Dickie and Bill Cook - say “more courageous conversations are required about child safeguarding matters in Scotland”.
“We need a national conversation, greater national scrutiny and safer safeguarding systems,” they said in a joint statement.
“Being certain of the whole truth, and holding any perpetrators accountable, is the best way to protect our children in the future.
“And it’s the very least we owe to survivors out there - those who have fought so hard to be heard and those yet to be heard.”
The signatories have also called for what they described as “gaps” in the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry to be addressed.
The proposed inquiry would examine the mishandling of allegations in mainstream schools, specialised schools and children’s regulated activities.
The petition is open until Tuesday 3 November.
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