The row comes against the backdrop of ministers resisting calls for a public inquiry.
They’ve argued the current evidence doesn’t support one.
But alongside her call for clarification, emails from Prof Jay show it’s clear she believes urgent work is needed in this area.
She’s agreed to oversee a national review of grooming gangs in Scotland, and will be questioned by Holyrood’s education committee on Wednesday.
The committee convener Conservative MSP Douglas Ross has been criticised by SNP members over the timing of the invitation, accusing of him of abusing his position for his own political motives.
He says victims need answers as quickly as possible.
The meeting will provide the opposition with the chance to ask Prof Jay about the justice secretary’s representation of her views, but also and perhaps more importantly, about the extent of child abuse and exploitation in Scotland.
Constance herself will also appear before the committee. It’s an opportunity to quiz her directly, and quite how hard a time she receives will depend greatly on what Prof Jay tells MSPs.
Also on Wednesday, the Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth will make a statement setting out further steps the government is taking on tackling child abuse.
Ministers will hope that, by the time MSPs return in the new year, the focus will have moved away from the justice secretary’s future.
But opposition parties may have other ideas.