Government needs to act faster on grooming gang inquiry, says survivor

Holly Alex, now 36, is one of the survivors of grooming gang abuse who has expressed frustration over the slow progress of the public inquiry promised by the Scottish government nearly nine months ago. Holly entered the care system at 14, following the imprisonment of her stepfather and a breakdown in her relationship with her mother. Her social care files, reviewed by BBC Scotland, reveal that professionals were aware of her being groomed by adult men described as “Asian” during her teenage years, and that social workers and police had knowledge of the dangers she faced.

Throughout her teenage years, Holly resided in five different children’s homes in Edinburgh between the ages of 14 and 17. Police Scotland has confirmed receipt of some reports made by Holly during this time, with investigations currently ongoing. Her care records also document frequent absences from her placements followed by returns inebriated and possession of unexplained cash. Care workers characterized her behavior as “sexually promiscuous” and “flirtatious.” Holly recalls that approximately 25 to 50 men were involved in abusing her across several flats in Edinburgh and Livingston while she was in care. What started as what appeared to be kindness and generosity soon shifted into exploitation and abuse.

Holly describes how, initially, the attention from these men seemed positive to her young self. However, it quickly became clear there were expectations attached: “It was explicitly told to me: ‘You basically need to give us something back, because we gave you all this money, drink, cigarettes, food. We need something back.’” Though she initially attempted to escape before abuse could occur, her chances to flee dwindled, and leaving often led to physical violence. She also recounted being taken to houses where multiple men and girls gathered, not knowing what to expect upon arrival. Reflecting on her experiences, Holly stated, “Younger me would have said ‘disgusting’, but it’s not my fault.”

The Scottish government announced a public inquiry into group-based child sexual abuse in February, with the former Education Secretary promising a thorough examination. Despite these plans, survivors like Holly feel that progress has been insufficient. She emphasized the need for genuine action: “If you say you’ll do something at pace, do it at pace. Don’t just pay lip service to it. Some people’s lives depend on the truth coming out.” Holly also challenged the misuse of the term “grooming gang,” noting that its association with certain ethnic groups has caused fear among some survivors that their stories might be excluded. She maintained that: “A grooming gang is a group of two or more perpetrators, regardless of ethnicity or race.”

Education Secretary Màiri McAllan condemned sexual abuse and exploitation as “abhorrent crimes” with a devastating impact on victims. She reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding children and stressed that the statutory inquiry, chaired by Professor Alexis Jay, would be a fundamental element in addressing the issue. A national review published in September highlighted gaps in data collection and inconsistencies in defining grooming gang offenses, making it difficult to assess the scale of the problem. Before the inquiry can proceed, its specific terms must be finalized, with updates expected from ministers soon. Meanwhile, Holly has been invited to participate in the government’s Truth Project pilot, which aims to hear directly from survivors.

Police Scotland affirmed their dedication to combating all forms of child sexual exploitation, ensuring that survivors are supported through a victim-centered approach, and collaborating with partners to protect potential victims. Holly’s testimony was key in securing the conviction of Gordon Collins, a former carer in Edinburgh who was sentenced to 10 years in 2016 for indecent behavior against Holly and others, including rape. Amanda Hatton of the City of Edinburgh Council apologized to Holly and praised her courage, highlighting changes made in response to survivor testimony, such as closing all secure residential facilities in the city. Hatton acknowledged ongoing efforts to learn from the past and affirmed that suspected criminality would always be reported to the police promptly