Police launch film aimed at adult survivors of childhood abuse

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: