Child abuse inquiries
There are a number of inquiries going on into non-recent child abuse in the UK. Find out more about the major ones below.
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England and Wales – The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA)
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), has been set up to investigate the extent to which institutions have failed to protect children from sexual abuse in England and Wales. IICSA was established by the Home Secretary on Thursday 12 March 2015 as a statutory inquiry under the 2005 Inquiries Act.
Victims and survivors can share their experiences, so that IICSA can make recommendations that will help prevent the sexual abuse and exploitation of children in the future. The Inquiry will make practical recommendations to ensure that children are given the care and protection they need.
Sharing your information will help IICSA to investigate how institutions failed to protect children from sexual abuse. This part of their work is called the Truth Project: https://www.iicsa.org.uk/share-your-experience
IICSA are also running a Victim and Survivor Consultation on existing support services provision and the ways in which it can be improved. It’s an online survey, you can take part until 12 September 2017. https://www.iicsa.org.uk/victims-and-survivors/consultation
The Chair, Professor Alexis Jay, said “I want to focus on prevention without neglecting the past. Lessons have to be learnt from institutional failures and any cover-ups that have come to light. Only in this way can we look to the future with confidence. ”
Scotland
The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry
This inquiry was set up to investigate the nature and extent of abuse of children whilst in care in Scotland, during the relevant time frame.
On 26 March 2016 the Inquiry launched its first formal call for evidence, inviting survivors of abuse to come forward and share their experiences.
Lady Smith, the Chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, said: “I would encourage anyone who is able to provide information about such abuse or about the places where it occurred or about those responsible for them, whether as victim, witness or otherwise, to come forward. Talk to us. We want to hear from you.”
Northern Ireland
The Hart Inquiry, Northern Ireland
The Inquiry into Historical Institutional Abuse in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995, Chaired by Antony Hart, listened to the experiences of those who were children in residential institutions (other than schools) in Northern Ireland.
The inquiry report will be published in both a printed version and an electronic version which will be placed on the Inquiry website. Further details of the publication process will be provided nearer the time.
Jersey
The Independent Jersey Care Inquiry is investigating the abuse of children in Jersey’s care system over many years. The inquiry has heard final submissions from Interested Parties. Transcripts are online and the findings are due to be published on 3 July 2017.