The key facts

  • The Scottish Government announced a public inquiry in February, but its terms of reference have still not been formally agreed
  • The Scottish government announced a public inquiry in February, but its terms of reference have still not been formally agreed
  • Holly Alex says social workers and police knew of the risks while she was a teenager in care
  • The national review in September found there are no reliable national data on the scale of group-based child sexual abuse
  • A national review in September found there were no reliable national data on the scale of group-based child sexual abuse

A promise of 'pace' — nine months with no movement

The Scottish Government announced a public inquiry into grooming gangs in February — then education secretary Jenny Gilruth promised to 'leave no stone unturned'. Almost nine months later, survivor Holly Alex, 36, says victims are still waiting for real progress: 'If you say you will do something at pace, do it at pace. Don't just say words. Someone's life depends on the truth coming out.' Before evidence hearings can begin, the inquiry's terms of reference must be formally approved; ministers are expected to give an update to the Scottish Parliament on Thursday.

Social care records: the risks were known

Holly entered the care system at 14. Between 14 and 17 she moved through five children's homes in Edinburgh. Her social care records, reviewed by BBC Scotland News, show staff logged concerns that the teenager was being 'recruited' for sex by 'adult Asian men', and indicate that social workers and police knew of the risks. The records repeatedly mention her going missing from the placement and returning intoxicated, with unexplained sums of money — while professionals described her as 'sexually promiscuous' and 'flirtatious'. According to Holly, between roughly 25 and 50 men were involved in her exploitation across a series of flats in Edinburgh and Livingston. Police Scotland confirmed it received part of her reports from that period and said the investigation is ongoing.

The terminology dispute: 'grooming gang' is not tied to nationality

Holly objects to the term 'grooming gang' being weaponised, saying it is sometimes 'twisted to fit certain narratives'. She stresses that she speaks with many survivors whose abusers were not Asian, and some fear being excluded from the inquiry because their offenders do not fit a particular ethnic profile: 'A grooming gang is a group of two or more abusers, regardless of ethnicity or race.' Education Secretary Mary McAllan said child protection is a government priority and that the statutory inquiry, chaired by Professor Alexis Jay, will be given 'the fullest investigative powers'.

No reliable picture of the scale

The national review of child sexual exploitation by groups in Scotland, published in September and led by Professor Jay, found that, due to inconsistent data collection and the absence of an agreed definition, there is no reliable national picture of the scale of grooming gang offences. This explains why the inquiry is structurally delayed: its framework must first be formally defined, and the country has no reliable statistics for it to draw on. Holly has been invited to take part in the Scottish Government's 'Truth Project' pilot — an exercise in listening to survivors running alongside the inquiry. By comparison, in England and Wales then prime minister Keir Starmer announced a statutory independent inquiry back in June 2025, and its terms were published earlier this year.

Consequences for Holly and the care system

Holly was also sexually abused in a secure unit in Edinburgh; her testimony played a decisive role in the conviction of care worker Gordon Collins, who was sentenced to 10 years in 2016 for indecent conduct towards Holly and three other residents. City of Edinburgh Council spokesperson Amanda Hatton repeated the apologies and noted that testimony from witnesses like her has already led to changes, including the closure of all secure residential provision for children in the city, but acknowledged that the work of 'learning lessons from the past' must continue.

Holly Alex, pictured now at 36, has black hair in a half-up, half-down style. She is looking at the camera with a neutral expression while sitting on a couch in a living room. She is wearing a grey top and has a silver nose stud.
Image caption,

Holly says survivors are still waiting for meaningful progress on the inquiry

Holly Alex is pictured as a young teenager. She sits in a car boot between two other young people who have their faces blurred. They all wear blue jeans and casual tops. Holly has her brown hair tied back and holds a juice box and smiles while leaning on her friend's shoulder.Image source, Holly Alex
Image caption,

Holly's social care records indicate social workers and police knew of the risks she faced

Holly Alex is pictured as a young teenager. She has fair brown hair tied back in a ponytail and wears a strapless purple dress. She is holding a wine glass with an orange drink in it and stands in a garden.Image source, Holly Alex
Image caption,

Holly was just 14 years old when she was groomed for sex

Màiri McAllan is speaking at a committee in the Scottish Parliament. She has long brown hair and wears a white top and black blazer.Image source, Scottish Parliament/PA
Image caption,

Màiri McAllan said the Scottish government was taking action to determine the scale of abuse by grooming gangs

Close up of the exterior of the ground floor flat where the abuse was carried out. Three windows are boarded up with brown metal grids. The entrance, a brown double wooden door, has flaking paint and is closed. The bumper and rear of two parked cars is also visible in the images.Five police mugshots of the grooming gang, four men and a woman: Alexandra Bugonea (top left), Catalin Dobre (bottom left), Cristian Urlateanu (top right), Remus Stan (bottom right) and ringleader Marian Cumpanasoiu (centre).