Address early sexual offending in Scotland
- 272 Signatures
Non-contact sexual offences are too often minimised as “just a photo” or “low level,” yet research shows they are gateways to serious abuse. Victims suffer lasting harm, silenced by dismissals that groom girls to accept harassment and boys to believe it’s normal. In England & Wales, child-on-child sexual assaults rose 81% in 3 years; Scotland lacks this data. My aim is to protect victims and rehabilitate offenders before behaviour escalates. Scotland must catch sexual offending early to protect victims and prevent escalation.
Address Dangerous Delays in Paediatric Cancer Diagnostics
- 955 Signatures
Isla's journey began at the age of 15 when she was repeatedly referred and downgraded in her medical assessments. By the time a definitive diagnosis of cancer was made, it was too late, and her family was given the heartbreaking news that she had only months to live. Her passing has left a deep void in her family's life. If her medical condition had been treated with the same urgency as an adult's, she might still be with us today.
It is important that children and young people are assessed and treated with the same level of urgency and access to diagnostic tests as adults. No young person should be dismissed or have their symptoms underestimated simply because they appear healthy or are perceived to be too young for serious illness. This needs to be set in stone with all agencies.
Scotland continues to have one of the highest mortality rates among children under 18 in Western Europe. Strengthening early recognition, ensuring equal access to testing, and raising awareness within primary care are essential steps to prevent other families from suffering such unimaginable loss.
Allow more survivors of care abuse to access redress
- 58 Signatures
Abuse did not stop on 1 December 2004. This exclusion creates inequality, with some survivors recognised and others denied justice simply because of when the abuse happened. This petition calls for redress for survivors of abuse and neglect in the care system. Children in residential and secure care, including myself, experienced repeated emotional abuse, physical assault, sexual assault, daily restraint, and were dragged along corridors. Many of us were moved between placements without support, therapy, or consistency.
These failures caused long-term trauma and harm. Personal belongings were often packed into bin bags during relocations, showing the lack of dignity and care provided. I am seeking recognition of the suffering endured and meaningful redress for survivors, to acknowledge the harm caused and begin to provide justice for those affected.
Providing redress is a crucial step toward accountability, acknowledgement of harm, and ensuring that all survivors are heard and acknowledged.
Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has official reports on systemic failures in care.
Establish a kindergarten stage in Scottish education
- 1,278 Signatures
Children in Scotland start school at an earlier age than children in most other countries. Yet, there’s no educational advantage to an early start. Research has found that children who are taught literacy skills from the age of five do no better in the long run than those who start at seven – results even out by aged 10. The ‘attainment gap’ is actually a ‘developmental gap’. The major difference in high-quality kindergarten care/education and school care/education is that the former is based on developmentally appropriate, play pedagogy and the latter on age-related, standards-driven educational practice.
We need to delay the school starting age and establish a single setting for play-based activity which will maximise development and nurturing. It’s particularly beneficial to children from lower economic backgrounds and fits with the ambition for greater equity in the poverty-related developmental gap.
Prevent domestic abusers from using bankruptcy to escape debt
- 92 Signatures
Bankruptcy in Scotland was intended as a safety net for the “honest but unfortunate” debtor – the farmer whose crops failed, the small business ruined by misfortune. It was never meant to be a shield for abusers. Yet in practice, sequestration is now being used to wipe out debts and awards arising from domestic abuse.
In one case, a survivor was awarded £289,900 via arbitration registered in the Court of Session under Section 28 of the Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006. This recognised the financial harm and coercive control she had suffered. However, the award was extinguished by sequestration, allowing her abuser to escape responsibility.
This outcome denies survivors the benefit of lawful decrees, re-victimises them through state processes, and places Scotland in breach of international law, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Reform is urgently needed.
Living in Orkney, my partner and I rely heavily on the ferry services for our daily necessities. Everything from groceries to healthcare services necessitates travel, as our island has nothing and the costs can quickly accumulate. This reliance is not unique to us; countless residents, particularly older adults, experience the burden of these travel expenses.
Recently, it's come to light that the Scottish Government has not allocated necessary funds to support travel for Orkney's older adults on the boats, which is necessary before we can get on the free buses. This situation has left many residents, who are dependent on the ferry services, in a difficult position. Without financial assistance, these individuals face challenges in accessing essential services outside their immediate vicinity.
The lack of funding for Orkney's elderly travel not only impacts individuals but also threatens the social and economic well-being of our community as a whole.
Make Suicide Awareness and Prevention training mandatory for high school students.
- 953 Signatures
Suicide is the biggest killer of people under 35 in the UK. Rates among young people, especially ages 15–24, have risen in recent years. Young people often feel isolated, misunderstood, or ashamed of their emotions. Talking openly about suicide breaks stigma and encourages help-seeking.
Most suicidal crises are short-lived and can be interrupted with timely support. Recognising warning signs — like withdrawal, hopelessness, or reckless behaviour — allows peers, teachers, and families to act before it’s too late. It teaches young people how to talk about their feelings, support friends, and seek help.
Awareness campaigns show that it’s okay to not be okay — and that support exists. Awareness helps us intervene early and prevent these tragedies. I feel this training is vital as schools, families, and workplaces all play a role in suicide prevention. Awareness equips young adults to have life-saving conversations and create safe environments.
Review legislation in order to strengthen the Scottish Outdoor Access Code
- 862 Signatures
Scotland's tourism is an environmental catastrophe. Visitor numbers soar, infrastructure crumbles and ecosystems collapse under unsustainable pressure. The evidence is undeniable. Wildfires destroying ancient habitats. Raw sewage and waste poisoning our waterways. Protected species disturbed, rare flora trampled. Emergency services blocked by illegally parked vehicles. Heritage sites desecrated. Communities overwhelmed. The current system failing spectacularly. Every delay sees irreversible damage to Scotland's irreplaceable natural heritage.
The current Scottish Outdoor Access Code is powerless and routinely ignored by irresponsible tourists and vehicle rental companies claiming access rights. Other nations balance access with protection through enforceable regulations. We need mandatory environmental impact assessments, designated camping zones, fines for violations, and dedicated enforcement teams. This isn't about restricting access, it's about ensuring there's something left to access, through legislative reform, backed by real enforcement. The time for guidance has passed. We need laws that command respect.
In recent years the population of seagulls in our area has grown substantially in number. Gulls are now causing damage to property, cars, and especially attacks on residents.
If this was a dog or a physical attack by a person, action would soon be taken by the police and authorities. Seagulls should not have protected species status.
Hold an inquiry into grooming gangs in Scotland
- 854 Signatures
An inquiry is needed to make clear there are organised gangs of people in this country targeting children and young vulnerable adults for the purpose of criminal and sexual exploitation. This is leading children into lives of prostitution, drugs and crime, who would otherwise not choose that path in life.
These gangs are organised and exist for this sole purpose.
The longer it’s put off, the more children across our country are falling victims to these gangs. Everyday there are young people in this country having their childhoods destroyed as well as their entire lives at the hands of these organised gangs of groomers and traffickers.
This problem needs to be acknowledged and addressed in order for our drugs problem to be tackled with sincerity!