Every child must be safe from harm, minister says

Every child has a right to grow up safe from abuse and harm,
Cathy Jamieson, education and young people minister, told a
Barnardo’s conference.

She made her comments at the ‘No Child of Ours’ conference in
Glasgow looking at ways to effectively tackle child
prostitution.

Jamieson said: “Our services cannot fail the vulnerable children
who rely on them most. Prostitution demeans everyone involved – and
child prostitution is nothing less than a scandal. These children
are victims and we must provide them with the support they
need.”

The Scottish executive has made available £20 million this
year to local authorities, and voluntary organisations through the
children’s services development fund that is aimed at
prioritising service development for vulnerable children and young
people. Jamieson also announced that a working group has been set
up to produce national guidance on tackling child prostitution.

Jamieson added: “The national guidance we produce will focus on
the need to protect the child and punish the perpetrator. It is of
particular concern that children and young people who are looked
after by the local authority are being targeted for sexual
exploitation through prostitution.”

A multi-disciplinary review of child protection, convened by the
executive, is also due to report next month.