FAMILIES will be able to find out if a known sex offender has access to their children under a pilot project to be launched in Scotland.
Details of the scheme, to be trialled in a police force area later this year, were announced by the Scottish Government yesterday. The disclosure project will allow parents, carers and even grandparents to register a child-protection interest in a named individual who has access to their child.
It is being dubbed a test run for a possible "Mark's Law", named after eight-year-old Mark Cummings, from Glasgow, who was murdered by sex offender Stuart Leggate in 2004.
Under current Disclosure Scotland arrangements, people seeking jobs and public positions involving contact with children under 18 or other vulnerable members of society have to be screened.
But now people in the pilot area, which has yet to be chosen, could request details on a new partner in their life. For instance, a single mother could seek details on a new boyfriend.
Police will inform the parent, carer or guardian if the named person has convictions for sex offences and if a child is found to be at serious risk then protection measures wil be instigated.
It is aimed at giving families greater reassurance as 90% of child sexual abuse is carried out by people known to the child and follows on from similar schemes in England.
Launching the pilot, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "The protection of our children is of the greatest importance to all of us. There are few crimes more damaging, more emotive and more sensitive than sexual offences against children."
Right now, information is only disclosed on a limited basis and usually with the consent of the offender.
Margaret Ann Cummings, Mark Cummings' mother, said: "This is fantastic news. It's a fitting tribute to my son."
Mrs Cummings, 33, added: "Nothing can bring back my son. But if this scheme helps to save one child's life that is enough of a victory for me."
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