The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse have published their final report, to which the Home Secretary, the Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, has responded.
The ground-breaking inquiry was established by the Government seven years ago under the Rt Hon Member for Maidenhead, Theresa May MP, to investigate failings of state and non-state organisations over several decades, across England and Wales, to protect and safeguard children from sexual abuse and make recommendations for reform. The report published makes recommendations for the Government and marks the end of the inquiry.
Victims and survivors of child sexual abuse have bravely shared their experiences with the inquiry and shed light on the number of failures by institutions which should have protected them.
Over the last seven years, the Government has responded in real time to recommendations from the inquiry to ensure that across government work continues to be driven forward to tackle all forms of child sexual abuse and ensure victims are better supported.
Last January, the Government published the Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Strategy, setting the strategic direction for addressing this terrible crime across the whole system, and putting lessons learnt from the inquiry into practice. This has helped to drive initiatives to increase reporting, target offenders, drive up convictions and provide better support for victims.
The work to tackle child sexual abuse doesn’t end with the conclusion of the inquiry. The Government is committed to ensuring that the valuable work of the inquiry is translated into action to end this terrible crime.
The Government will respond in full to the inquiry’s report within six months, when proper consideration has been given to all of the recommendations, but the Home Secretary has announced a further £4.5 million for organisations supporting victims and survivors of child sexual abuse at a national level.
This money will go to seven organisations who provide vital support for children and young people who have experienced sexual abuse, adult survivors, and parents or carers of victims. This includes telephone and online counselling and support services; support groups; specialist support to LGBT+ victims; and survivor-led interventions.
In addition, the Home Secretary will champion children’s safety at the highest levels and convene ministers from across government to drive action against the inquiry’s recommendations.
The Government will continue to ensure that the voices and perspectives of victims and survivors are placed at the centre of work tackling this horrific crime. Victims must feel confident in being able to seek justice and find support.
As the Minister for Safeguarding, Mims will be working jointly with the Home Secretary on all of the asks from the report.
The reports can be found here: Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse investigation reports - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
A transcript of the Home Secretary's statement can be found here: Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse: Final Rep - Hansard - UK Parliament
