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Motion · S6M-20788 · 12 Feb 2026

Centring Survivors in Public Discussion of Sexual Abuse

Lodged by Paul McLennan (Scottish National Party) Standard Motion 17 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament notes with deep concern recently reported revelations about historical associations between individuals in positions of power and those convicted of serious offences against women and children; recognises what it sees as the profound and lifelong impact that sexual abuse has on survivors, their families and communities; believes that public debate and media coverage must prioritise the voices, needs and experiences of victims and survivors, rather than those of powerful individuals whose actions or omissions may have enabled harm; condemns any attempt, explicit or implicit, to minimise, excuse or deflect attention from this harm; asserts that, too often, safeguarding is secondary to shielding authority figures, and that this must end decisively; believes that discussions of sexual abuse must not be distorted by efforts to protect the embarrassment, reputation or public standing of powerful men, and that survivor welfare must always take precedence; acknowledges the vital role of survivor-centred approaches in improving safeguarding, justice processes and societal understanding; commends the organisations, advocates and activists working tirelessly to support survivors of abuse, and calls on all public institutions, government bodies and political parties to ensure that discussions of sexual harm are rooted in accountability, trauma-informed practice and a commitment to preventing abuse and protecting children, women and girls.

Supporters (17)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.