Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 25 March 2026 [Draft]
25 Mar 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
First Minister’s Question Time
Children (Assaults in Hospitals)
Hospitals should be a safe space for everyone, but new findings from Women’s Rights Network Scotland reveal the grim reality that patients, including children, have been sexually assaulted in Scottish hospitals. That is utterly unacceptable. We know that those findings are just the tip of the iceberg, with most cases not being reported and victims being left to suffer in silence under the Scottish National Party. Will the First Minister confirm whether his Government will finally mandate consistent and transparent recording of sexual offences in national health service facilities and publish annual figures so that there can be accountability?
In the same item of business
5. Pam Gosal (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to research by Women’s Rights Network Scotland reportedly showing that some children hav...
The First Minister (John Swinney)
SNP
I am horrified by any suggestion that children have been assaulted while in hospital. I expect health boards to work closely with Police Scotland to keep pat...
Pam Gosal
Con
Hospitals should be a safe space for everyone, but new findings from Women’s Rights Network Scotland reveal the grim reality that patients, including childre...
The First Minister
SNP
Any form of abuse of that nature is completely abhorrent. I expect health boards to work closely with Police Scotland and to uphold their legal duties as emp...
Katy Clark (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
A 13-year-old girl was sexually assaulted at Crosshouse hospital, and a 13-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl were assaulted at Stobhill hospital. Given th...
The First Minister
SNP
Yes, I agree with that point. In August, the Government published a sexual harassment guide to supplement the bullying and harassment and the gender-based vi...