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Thank you.

Kate, you spoke earlier about the prioritisation of the rights of those who have harmed other children over the rights of those who have been harmed. The Daily Record newspaper is running a campaign just now called “Our Kids ... Our Future”, which talks about a large number of such cases, many of which are recorded on social media and are adding to the distress of those who have been attacked.

One such case involves a 12-year-old who was beaten severely. The incident was filmed and it has understandably had a profound effect on the individual’s life. In the past two weeks, there have been developments in that case in that the victim believed that the alleged perpetrator was subject to bail conditions only to discover that that was no longer the case but it had not been communicated to them. The alleged perpetrator has also allegedly committed further offences.

That is a specific case but what measures could the bill take to give greater protection to victims?

So, whatever happens with the bill, that will need to be looked at.

The children’s hearings system is, in the main, private. Should there be any scope to have more transparency in its proceedings?

For all the frustrations with the criminal justice system for adults, about which we have heard much, there is a complete vacuum in respect of children’s hearings. If someone is a victim of crime, they do not get told about what is happening up until the point of disposal, what the disposal is or any details at all. There is no entitlement at all. Is that correct?

Is St Mary’s the largest of the centres?

How much more would they be paying in percentage terms, roughly?

Are more cases of violence committed by children against children ending up going down the legal route of the children’s panel? The Crown still has the option to prosecute but, because that is the direction of travel, would it be good if there were more transparency around hearings?

If the bill is passed, do you expect more people to use your service?

Hi, Linda. Thank you for coming in.

I cannot imagine what you have been put through these past five years. In that time, we know that more than 200 people have died in Scottish prisons, and many of them will be young people who have died by suicide. You are still waiting for your fatal accident inquiry to begin, which has partly been due to the attempt to criminally prosecute people, which, in October last year, was rejected, I understand. Do you know whether that rejection was due to the Crown not being able to prosecute or is it entirely at its discretion?

You have projected what that might look like and the funding that will be required, and have said that that needs to be funded by Government.