A new animated film aimed at adult survivors of childhood abuse and people working with survivors has been launched by Police Scotland.
The Information for Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse film aims to raise awareness amongst adult survivors of how to report childhood abuse to police, the criminal justice process and the existence of survivor support services. The animation follows two survivors through the journey of reporting to police whilst focussing on key areas and covering some frequently asked questions.
Assistant Chief Constable Gillian MacDonald, Major Crime and Public Protection, Police Scotland, said: “Child abuse takes many forms: physical, emotional, sexual or neglect. How people deal with and react to abuse is very individual. Some survivors have told us they didn’t realise what they had experienced as a child was abuse. Others simply haven’t felt ready or able to talk about the abuse they experienced during childhood.
“We would like to reassure survivors, that when they are ready to report, we will listen and we will provide advice about relevant support services.
“Police Scotland is fully committed to thoroughly investigating child abuse no matter when or where this happened or who was involved. The priorities for any investigation will include identifying the perpetrator or perpetrators, establishing if they still have access to children and, if so, whether they pose a risk to any child.
“The film, and our other information products, provide survivors with information to enable them to make an informed choice about whether or not they wish to report the abuse they experienced to police, whilst at the same time ensuring that they are signposted to relevant support services.”
In addition to the film, information for adult survivors of childhood abuse is also available on Police Scotland’s website and via an information leaflet.
The film, which has been produced following extensive consultation with survivors and survivor support services and with funding from Scottish Government, can be viewed below:
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
