Allow more survivors of care abuse to access redress
- 70 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
- 1,952 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
- 94 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.
- 958 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.
The petition does _not_ ask the Scottish Government to interfere with local authorities’ democratic mandates, but simply to ensure that fair, transparent and accessible participatory processes are set out and implemented consistently across Scotland’s local communities. Existing laws (such as the Community Empowerment Act) mandate participation but do not always define standards or enforce consistency.
Clackmannanshire Council does not allow deputations or public questions on any matter. In Dundee, RAAC homeowners and campaigners in Dundee have been blocked from speaking at meetings, as councillors failed to respond to repeated requests to raise RAAC as an agenda item. In England, many councils allow public questions without a linked agenda item, helping generate debate and enabling deputations. In Scotland, even when deputations are permitted, responses can be incomplete or entirely ignored, with no formal route for follow-up except at future meetings. Some councils assist the public by advising when they may speak; others provide confusing schedules and expect residents to navigate council calendars alone. The lack of consistency across councils deters meaningful participation and leaves communities without a voice.
Review legislation in order to strengthen the Scottish Outdoor Access Code
- 994 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
- 1,383 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!
Amend the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act to prevent abuse of power of attorney
- 7 Signatures
During COVID it became evident that vulnerable adults were at risk of being abused. My mother Letty was one of those adults. In trying to improve things for her, I found myself at odds with her Power of Attorney.
I approached organisations including the Office of the Public Guardian and the Mental Welfare Commission. They advised me that the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 was not fit for purpose - the gaps within it did not adequately allow for thorough oversight of the Power of Attorney role. This remains the case.
In my quest for those most vulnerable adults to be protected I continue to call for a “Letty’s Law”, in remembrance of my late mother, and for the Act to be amended in line with recommendations of the Scott Review, to prevent abuse of Powers of Attorney.