Scottish courts are re-traumatising children who have been victims of abuse, according to a leading charity, which claims sexual offences against children are their highest level for ten years.
NSPCC Scotland says there were 3,742 sexual offences including rape, sexual assault and grooming last year.
Meanwhile the charity's helpline has seen a 19% rise in calls from adults worried that a child is being sexually abused. The NSPCC's helpline for adults took 407 such calls in 2014/15. Half of these calls were so serious that they were immediately referred on to the police or children's services.
A UK wide report How Safe are our Children? published on wednesday, will measure the extent and nature of child abuse across the UK.
It is also calling for a review of the Scottish legal system, and the adoption of the Scandinavian model of 'Barnehus' or children's houses, where experts can interview children about incidents of alleged abuse as soon as possible after allegations are made, while children can benefit from immediate therapeutic help. In some countries they need provide no further evidence for a trial to take place.
However NSPCC says that currently the procedures for investigating sexual abuse in the UK can cause further trauma, as multiple interviews by different professionals in settings like police stations and hospitals risk 'revictimising' the child and triggering stressful memories of abuse.
Matt Forde, NSPCC Scotland's head, said greater awareness of sexual abuse may be encouraging more victims to come forward, especially those reporting historical cases. However as more children speak up, the Scottish legal system needs to develop a more sensitive and effective response to ensuring justice is served.
Mr Forde said: "The nation has been horrified by the revelations of decades of horrendous child abuse. But while the Scottish Government's inquiry is historical, child abuse is not.
"For too many children, our court system adds further trauma to their earlier experiences of abuse. We need a bold approach to reform our legal system. By borrowing from Scandinavian models, we can free children from further suffering and allow the therapeutic support they need to begin more quickly."
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