Scotland’s offshoot joins Sistema England in condemning Venezuela sex-abuse allegations

Following recently emerging allegations of sex abuse within Venezuela’s world-famous youth orchestra programme, Sistema Scotland has joined Sistema England in distancing itself from El Sistema. 

The statement issued yesterday by Sistema Scotland reads: 

The essential purpose of Sistema Scotland is to improve the lives of children, young people and families and to strengthen communities. We seek to give these young people confidence, curiosity, and courage which will serve them well in all aspects of their lives and we do this through the combination of music and nurturing relationships.

The original inspiration for our Big Noise centres came from El Sistema in Venezuela and we have continued to treat them as allies. We are, however, an entirely independent charity with no links in terms of management and governance to enable us to be as effective as possible in the very different social, political, economic and learning environment of Scotland. The allegations of abuse in Venezuela which have surfaced are appalling and must be dealt with in an uncompromising manner. We stand fully alongside any victim of abuse.

At the heart of Sistema Scotland is the unequivocal importance of safety for young people and their families. Everyone associated with our charity is clear on the paramount nature of safeguarding and how it must be carried out. Our work is carried out in line with rigorous policies on child protection and safeguarding, recruitment and selection, and equality and diversity. We deliver a comprehensive training and development programme for all our staff and volunteers. We have been continuing to develop the role of children, young people and community members in shaping how we work as an organisation and the decisions that we make.

We will continue to strive to support children, young people, their families, and their communities in a challenging world.

Sistema England published its own statement last week, expressing ‘serious concern’ and calling on the international music education community to support those fighting against abuse.