MSP urges communities to speak out on childhood sexual abuse

Glasgow MSP Humza Yousaf will tomorrow (Wednesday 08th Feb) sponsor an event in the Scottish Parliament to celebrate a year of work by the Ethnic Survivors Forum - a forum set up to highlight childhood sexual abuse within Scotland BME community.

Humza Yousaf will be joined at the event by Minister for Public Health Michael Matheson MSP, representatives from those involved in the Forum and minority ethnic survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Attendees will hear about the service being provided, counselling and community engagement activities undertaken by the Ethnic Survivors Forum, as well as a first-hand account from a minority ethnic survivor.

Commenting, Humza Yousaf MSP said: "I attended the launch of the Ethnic Survivors Forum in March last year and am delighted to host this event one year on.

"The Ethnic Survivors Forum is a valuable service for both men and women from minority ethnic communities who may have experienced childhood sexual abuse. It's a very discreet and culturally sensitive service which has been vital in addressing needs within Scotland's minority ethnic communities.

"There is unfortunately a culture of secrecy that exists across communities in regards to sexual abuse. This silence can be deafening amongst some elements of the BME community and forums such as this help to break down barriers but in a sensitive and appropriate manner.

"During the course of the past year the Ethnic Survivors Forum has increased awareness of these issues within minority ethnic communities, and has provided much needed support to those affected through specifically tailored services.

"I would like to voice my thanks and appreciation to Roshni and all partner groups for creating such an essential initiative and am pleased that the Scottish Government has been able to support this project."

A spokesperson for Roshni commented: "On behalf of Roshni, I would wish to extend our thanks to the Minister for Public Health Michael Matheson MSP and our sponsoring MSP Humza Yousaf for giving their time and support to this project. It is indeed a testament to the vision of the Scottish Government that they not only acknowledge the issues highlighted but that they have also demonstrated their level of cultural awareness in allowing such projects to be managed by specialist organisations which are deeply embedded within the minority communities."

Notes:

The Ethnic Survivors Forum is a unique minority ethnic project that operates across Scotland providing culturally sensitive and multi-lingual support services to minority ethnic adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse resident in Scotland.

The Parliamentary reception will be held in Committee Room 1 at 6pm on Wednesday 8th February

More information on the Ethnic Survivors Forum can be found here: http://www.ethnicsurvivorsforum.org/