Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse

{{short description|Official inquiry in England and Wales}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}} thumb|Logo of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse

The '''Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse''' ('''IICSA''')<ref name="law gazette">{{cite web | title= Abuse inquiry: breaking with tradition |url= http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/analysis/comment-and-opinion/abuse-inquiry-breaking-with-tradition/5050049.article| author=Joshua Rozenberg|date= 20 July 2015 | website= Law Gazette | access-date=20 July 2015}}</ref> in England and Wales was an inquiry examining how the country's institutions handled their duty of care to protect children from sexual abuse. It was announced by the British Home Secretary, Theresa May, on 7 July 2014.<ref name="BBCJul814">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28203914|title=Ex-senior judge Butler-Sloss to head child sex abuse inquiry|work=BBC News Online|date=8 July 2014|access-date=12 July 2014}}</ref> It published its 19th and final report on 20 October 2022.<ref name=FinalReport>{{cite web|url=https://www.iicsa.org.uk/final-report|access-date=5 November 2022|date=20 October 2022|title=The Report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse}}</ref>

It was set up after investigations in 2012 and 2013 into the Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal revealed widespread abuse, including claims of abuse stretching back over decades by prominent media and political figures, and inadequate safeguarding by institutions and organisations responsible for child welfare. Originally the inquiry was intended to be a Panel Inquiry supported by experts, similar to the Hillsborough Independent Panel. However, after strenuous objections related to the panel's scope and its independence from those being investigated, and the resignation of its first two intended chairs, the inquiry was reconstituted in February 2015 as a statutory inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005, giving it greatly increased powers to compel sworn testimony and to examine classified information.

The first two chairs appointed to the original panel inquiry were Baroness Butler-Sloss (appointed 8 July 2014, stepped down 14 July 2014)<ref name=bbc140714>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-28295282|title=Butler-Sloss steps down from child abuse inquiry|work=BBC News Online|date=14 July 2014|access-date=14 July 2014}}</ref> and Fiona Woolf (appointed 5 September 2014, stepped down 31 October 2014).<ref name="bbc050914">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29076504|title=Lord Mayor Fiona Woolf to lead child abuse inquiry|work=BBC News Online|date=5 September 2014|access-date=5 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-29853002|title = Fiona Woolf resigns as head of child abuse inquiry|date = 31 October 2014|access-date = 31 October 2014}}</ref> The reasons for their withdrawal in each case were objections related to their perceived closeness to individuals and establishments which would be investigated. There were also objections to the shape of the inquiry itself, concerning testimony, the scope of inquiry, and lack of ability to compel witnesses to testify. In December 2014, it was reported that Theresa May was reconsidering arrangements for the inquiry. On 4 February 2015, May announced that the inquiry would be chaired by Dame Lowell Goddard, a New Zealand High Court judge who had no ties to the UK bodies and persons likely to be investigated. The existing panel was disbanded, and the inquiry was given new powers as a statutory inquiry.<ref name="BBC News 4 February 2015">{{cite web | title= New Zealand judge Lowell Goddard to lead abuse inquiry |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31130805| author=|date= 4 February 2015 | website= BBC News | access-date=5 February 2015}}</ref><ref name=criteria>[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-inquiry-into-child-sexual-abuse-criteria-for-chair-and-panel Independent inquiry into child sexual abuse: criteria for chair and panel, ''Gov.uk'', 4 February 2015]</ref> Lowell Goddard resigned as chair in August 2016 and was replaced by Professor Alexis Jay.

The IICSA published 19 reports in all, with the last one coming on 20 October 2022, with many urgent recommendations.<ref name=FinalReport/> However, {{As of|2024|12|lc=y}} none of these recommendations had been implemented; the Ministry of Justice had closed a further consultation but published no response to the report.

==Background== In 2012, entertainer Jimmy Savile, who had died with reputation intact in 2011, was identified by police as having been a prolific child sexual abuser, who had accessed and abused children in hospitals, schools and other institutions during the previous six decades. In the ensuing investigations, a number of prominent household names in media and politics, among others, were alleged to have been responsible for, and in some cases were convicted of, child sexual abuse. Calls were raised from 2012 onwards for a public inquiry into child sexual abuse, and to examine how such failings had been possible, and to what extent those responsible for these institutions had known of the abuse, or had cause to be aware.

In June 2014 a cross-party group of seven MPs, co-ordinated by Tim Loughton and Zac Goldsmith, wrote to the Home Secretary, Theresa May, calling on her to set up an overarching investigation into a series of cases in the United Kingdom concerning allegations of historic child sex abuse within government and other institutions.<ref name=Exaro>{{cite news |url=http://www.exaronews.com/articles/5274/mps-call-on-theresa-may-to-set-up-inquiry-into-child-sex-abuse|title=MPs call on Theresa May to set up inquiry into child sex abuse|publisher=Exaro|date=3 June 2014|access-date=19 July 2014}}</ref> Goldsmith said that "The Government should establish – and properly resource – an independent inquiry so that a line can be drawn, once and for all."<ref name=telegraph290614>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/jimmy-savile/10933200/Jimmy-Savile-pressure-grows-for-full-inquiry-into-historic-child-abuse.html |title=Jimmy Savile: pressure grows for full inquiry into historic child abuse |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=29 June 2014 |access-date=12 July 2014}}</ref> Other MPs were quick to add their names to the call for an inquiry, and within three weeks more than 150 British MPs were backing the call for an inquiry.<ref name=guardian041114>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/nov/04/child-abuse-inquiry-victims-theresa-may|title=In this child abuse inquiry, the victims must be heard. But it may be too late |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=19 November 2014|access-date=19 November 2014}}</ref>

An inquiry was set up in 2014, initially constituted as a panel. However, this led to public complaints on several grounds: that the panel's scope was too limited (and specifically it could not compel testimony, sworn or unsworn), and that those involved had past links to those persons and bodies known to have been sexual abusers or who might be investigated as part of the panel's work, and therefore that the panel's independence from the establishment was in question. Two chairs were appointed and resigned in 2014, both having had past links with possible subjects of the inquiry. The inquiry was, therefore, finally re-established as a statutory inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005, in February 2015, and a New Zealand High Court judge appointed as chair, to address these concerns.

==Panel Inquiry (2014–2015)== ===Remit and scope=== The inquiry was announced by Theresa May, on 7 July 2014. She said that "In recent years we have seen appalling cases of organised and persistent child sex abuse that have exposed serious failings by public bodies and important institutions...That is why the government has established an independent panel of experts to consider whether these organisations have taken seriously their duty of care to protect children from sexual abuse."<ref name=BBCJul814/> She said that it was possible that it could become a full public inquiry with the power to subpoena witnesses.<ref name=indy070714/>

The initial announcement stated that the inquiry would examine the duty of care taken by British public bodies and other notable institutions in protecting children from sexual abuse.<ref name=BBCJul814/> Individual cases of abuse would not be investigated by the inquiry, but Baroness Butler-Sloss said that she would be willing to hear of such cases.<ref name=BBCJul814/> The institutions to be scrutinised included the police, the courts, the education system, the BBC and the NHS.<ref name=BBCJul914>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28189858|title=Why are abuse allegations in news?|work=BBC News Online|date=9 July 2014|access-date=12 July 2014}}</ref> The expert panel would also have the power to examine the behaviour of political parties, the security services and private companies. The panel was expected to report interim findings in advance of the general election in May 2015.<ref name=indy070714>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-announces-details-of-independent-inquiry-into-paedophile-network-claims-9590545.html|title=Theresa May announces details of independent inquiry into paedophile network claims |work=The Independent |location=London |date=7 July 2014|access-date=12 July 2014}}</ref>

===Chair of inquiry=== On 8 July, it was announced that Baroness Butler-Sloss would chair the inquiry.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28203914|title=Ex-senior judge Butler-Sloss to head child sex abuse inquiry|date=8 July 2014|work=BBC News}}</ref> She stated that she was "honoured to have been invited to lead this inquiry...We will begin this important work as soon as possible."<ref name=BBCJul814/> The Permanent Secretary at the Home Office, Mark Sedwill, said that Butler-Sloss had promised to "leave no stone unturned", and that he believed her report would "be thorough and complete".<ref name=BBCJul814/> The former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families, Tim Loughton MP, said that Butler-Sloss would "command great respect, great expertise and great knowledge which is absolutely what we need at the head of this inquiry".<ref name=BBCJul814/>

Criticisms were raised over the choice of Butler-Sloss as chair of the inquiry, as she was described as part of "the establishment" due to her membership of the House of Lords and her brother Michael Havers having been Attorney General for England and Wales during the 1980s.<ref name=BBCJul814/> The Labour Member of Parliament Simon Danczuk said that "We don't want it [to] look like an establishment inquiry—that would send out the wrong signal to the public."<ref name=BBCJul814/> Former Solicitor-General Vera Baird said that Butler-Sloss was linked through her family "to the very establishment that this inquiry is being set up to look at... She is going to have to investigate the role played by her late brother." Questions were also raised about her report in 2011 into child abuse in the Church of England, with claims that she had been biased in favour of the church.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28291275|title=Butler-Sloss urged to stand aside from abuse inquiry|date=14 July 2014|work=BBC News}}</ref>

On 14 July, it was announced that Baroness Butler-Sloss was standing down from the inquiry, and that a new chair would be appointed.<ref name=bbc140714/> It was announced on 5 September that the new chair would be Fiona Woolf, a City solicitor then Lord Mayor of London, and that she would be assisted by Graham Wilmer, founder of the Lantern Project for abuse victims, and Barbara Hearn, former deputy chief executive of the National Children's Bureau.<ref name=bbc050914/> Alexis Jay, chair of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham, would also be a member of the panel.<ref name=ft2014-09-05>{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/42f3ab7a-34ed-11e4-aa47-00144feabdc0|title=Lord Mayor of London Fiona Woolf to lead child abuse inquiry|work=Financial Times|date=5 September 2014|author=Mark Odell}}</ref>

In October 2014, the chairing of the inquiry again became contentious after Fiona Woolf disclosed that she lived in the same street in London as Lord (Leon) Brittan and had, amongst other connections with them, invited the Conservative peer and his wife to dinner on three occasions. Lord Brittan was Home Secretary in 1984 when ministers were handed a dossier on alleged high-profile paedophiles which later disappeared; Brittan insisted that the proper procedures had been followed. Labour MP Simon Danczuk, who had campaigned for the inquiry to be established, told the BBC he thought Woolf should resign, accusing the Home Office of a "total error of judgement”. He added: “One mistake is forgivable... to make the same mistake twice looks like they're out to protect Leon Brittan. I don't buy the view that you can't choose someone to chair this inquiry who is not connected to Leon Brittan and yet the government seem to have been insistent on choosing chairpeople who are very much establishment, very much connected to people involved".<ref name="BBC-21-Oct-2014">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29703282|title=Abuse inquiry head Fiona Woolf defends Lord Brittan links |author= |date= 21 October 2014 |website=BBC News | access-date= 21 October 2014 }}</ref> A second Labour MP, John Mann, also criticised the appointment, saying it was “totally impossible for Fiona Woolf to now properly chair child abuse inquiry” given that "Leon Brittan oversaw significant inquiries that vanished".<ref name="Mason Guardian 21-Oct-2014">{{cite news |last=Mason |first= Rowena |date= 21 October 2014 |title= Fiona Woolf urged to step down from abuse inquiry over Leon Brittan links |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/oct/21/fiona-woolf-urged-step-down-abuse-inquiry-leon-brittan-links |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date= 22 October 2014}}</ref> However, Woolf told MPs that Brittan was "one of thousands of people" she knew and was not a "close associate"; the government said it continued to back her appointment.<ref name="BBC-21-Oct-2014"/> Home Secretary Theresa May also supported Woolf's appointment, saying: "Fiona Woolf has a long and distinguished career throughout which she has demonstrated the highest standards of integrity. I am confident that she will lead the work of the panel with authority, and that under her leadership the panel will get to the truth of these issues".<ref name="Mason Guardian 21-Oct-2014"/>

On 22 October 2014, the BBC reported that it had seen a judicial review application launched by a victim of historical child sexual abuse which challenged the choice of Fiona Woolf as the chair of the inquiry on the basis that she is not impartial, has no relevant expertise and may not have time to discharge her duties.<ref>{{cite web |author= |title=Legal challenge launched over abuse inquiry chair |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29719090 |website=BBC News|date=22 October 2014 |access-date=22 October 2014 }}</ref> However, the judicial review became unnecessary on 31 October 2014, when Woolf announced that she was resigning as chair of the inquiry. Her decision came on the day that victims and survivors of child abuse said that they were "unanimous" that she should quit, citing her social links with ex-Home Secretary Lord Brittan; their announcement came immediately after a meeting with Home Office officials. In a statement, Home Secretary Theresa May said that she had accepted Woolf's decision "with regret".<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29855265|title= Abuse inquiry: Fiona Woolf steps down as chairwoman|author= |date=31 October 2014 |website=BBC News | access-date=31 October 2014}}</ref>

After the other Panel members were announced, the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, and the Children's Commissioner for Wales, Keith Towler, both criticised the fact that none of the Panel members had direct experience of child protection in Wales, a devolved matter. Jones said: "If this is to be a process for the whole of England and Wales together as two nations then there has to be a Welsh representative on the body."<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-30216347|title= Keith Towler: Child sex abuse inquiry 'needs Welsh voice'|author= |date=27 November 2014 |website=BBC News | access-date=27 November 2014}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed" heights="200px"> File:Official portrait of Baroness Butler-Sloss crop 2.jpg|Baroness Butler-Sloss<br>(July 2014) File:Fiona Woolf (cropped).jpg|Fiona Woolf<br>(Sept—Oct 2014) File:Lowell Goddard.jpg|Dame Lowell Goddard<br>(Feb 2015—Aug 2016) File:Alexis Jay s300.jpg|Alexis Jay<br>(Aug 2016—October 2022) </gallery>

===Panel members=== The members of the panel until its reconstitution in February 2015 were:<ref>[https://childsexualabuseinquiry.independent.gov.uk/the-panel/ Independent Panel Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse: The Panel] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626210949/https://childsexualabuseinquiry.independent.gov.uk/the-panel/ |date=26 June 2015 }}. Retrieved 17 November 2014</ref> * Counsel: Ben Emmerson QC * Graham Wilmer * Barbara Hearn * Ivor Frank * Professor Jenny Pearce * Drusilla Sharpling * Sharon Evans * Moira Gibb * Professor Terence Stephenson

===Reconsideration of Inquiry arrangements=== On 21 December 2014, it was reported that Theresa May was reconsidering arrangements for the inquiry, and that the panel could be abandoned. The options that were reportedly being considered included turning the existing inquiry into a statutory inquiry; setting up a fresh statutory inquiry; or establishing a Royal Commission.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30568645|title= Child sex abuse inquiry panel 'could be disbanded'|author=Tom Symonds|date=21 December 2014 |website=BBC News | access-date=21 December 2014}}</ref> According to the Exaro news website, May wrote to each panel member with the proposals following a meeting with them earlier in the month, adding that existing panel members could be considered for roles under the new arrangements. One panel member, Sharon Evans, reported that she felt "devastated" at the proposal, but that it had been made clear that the panel would be abolished early in 2015.<ref name=guardian211214>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global/2014/dec/21/theresa-may-child-sex-abuse-inquiry-panel-scrapped|title=Theresa May scraps panel for inquiry into child sex abuse, report says |author=Nadia Khomami |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=21 December 2014|access-date=21 December 2014}}</ref> She highlighted that a greater number of survivors the inquiry panel had already met with had provided feedback, with 90% saying they had confidence in the existing panel.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.channel4.com/news/abuse-inquiry-member-dont-disband-panel-video |title=Abuse inquiry member 'don't disband panel' |website=Channel4 News|date=5 January 2015 }}</ref> Representatives of abuse survivors groups wrote to May calling for a new inquiry with legal powers to compel witnesses to give evidence under oath.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30572446|title= Child abuse inquiry: Survivors want new panel and extra powers|date=22 December 2014 |website=BBC News | access-date=22 December 2014}}</ref>

==Materials found at National Archives== {{Main|Westminster paedophile dossier}} In January 2015, an academic researcher found in The National Archives a reference to a file regarding allegations of "unnatural" sexual behaviour taking place at Westminster that probably went to the Prime Minister (Margaret Thatcher) in the early 1980s. The file was entitled "Allegations against former public [missing word] of unnatural sexual proclivities; security aspects 1980 Oct 27 – 1981 Mar 20." The file was classified as it contained information from the security services and Law Officers. The Cabinet Office initially stated that any pertinent files would be made available to the forthcoming Independent Panel Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.<ref name="telegraph-20150121">{{cite news |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11359459/Secret-government-file-on-unnatural-sexual-behaviour-at-Westminster-unearthed.html |title=Secret government file on 'unnatural' sexual behaviour at Westminster unearthed |author= Swinford, Steven |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location= London |date=21 January 2015 |access-date=21 January 2015}}</ref> The file was shortly afterwards made public, and related to the diplomat Sir Peter Hayman.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31062904|title=Diplomat Sir Peter Hayman 'engaged in sexual perversion'|date=30 January 2015|website=BBC News|access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>

==Statutory inquiry== {{See also|Investigations into the Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal#Statutory inquiry}}

On 4 February 2015, Theresa May announced that the inquiry would be chaired by Dame Lowell Goddard, a New Zealand High Court judge. The existing panel would be disbanded, and the inquiry would be given new powers. It would be a statutory inquiry established under the Inquiries Act 2005, and Goddard would be able to compel witnesses to attend and give evidence.<ref>{{Cite news|url =https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31130805|title = New Zealand judge Lowell Goddard to lead abuse inquiry|date = 4 February 2015|access-date = 4 February 2015}}</ref> Criteria for selecting the panel were republished, and members of the outgoing panel were free to reapply. Ben Emmerson QC would remain as counsel to the Inquiry.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31138416 Dominic Casciani, "Has the new abuse inquiry got what it takes?", ''BBC News'', 4 February 2015]</ref>

Emmerson said:<ref>[https://childsexualabuseinquiry.independent.gov.uk/ Independent Panel Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, home page, 4 February 2015] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023102048/https://childsexualabuseinquiry.independent.gov.uk/ |date=23 October 2014 }}. Retrieved 6 February 2015</ref> <blockquote>It is important to stress that this is a completely fresh start. The inquiry that the Home Secretary has announced today will be a statutory inquiry established under the 2005 Inquiries Act. Unlike the previous panel inquiry it will have powers to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence by institutions and individuals. Justice Goddard and her legal advisers will be able to review open and classified sources. This new inquiry will therefore have all the powers it needs to penetrate deeply into the institutions that have failed children in the past, and to identify those institutions that are reportedly continuing to fail children today. And it will do so under the leadership of an exceptionally experienced judge.</blockquote>

On 12 March 2015 the Home Secretary made a written statement establishing the Inquiry as a statutory inquiry, the Panel, and the Inquiry's terms of reference.<ref>{{cite web |last=May |first=Theresa |authorlink=Theresa May |date=12 March 2015 |title=Statement UIN HCWS371 |url=https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2015-03-12/HCWS371 |website= |location= |publisher=Parliament of the United Kingdom |access-date=5 September 2025}}</ref> The IICSA's terms of reference were:<ref>{{cite report |last=Coleman |first=Charley |date=13 December 2018 |title=Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse |url=https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/lln-2018-0141/ |work=House of Lords Library Briefing |location= |publisher=House of Lords Library |access-date=5 September 2025}}</ref>

{{quote|To consider the extent to which state and non-state institutions have failed in their duty of care to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation; to consider the extent to which those failings have since been addressed; to identify further action needed to address any failings identified; to consider the steps which it is necessary for state and non-state institutions to take in order to protect children from such abuse in future; and to publish a report with recommendations.}}

The inquiry opened on 9 July 2015, with an introductory statement by Justice Goddard setting out its procedures, timetables and remit. She said that the inquiry "provides a unique opportunity to expose past failures of institutions to protect children, to confront those responsible, to uncover systemic failures, to provide support to victims and survivors, in sharing their experiences, and to make recommendations that will help prevent the sexual abuse and exploitation of children in the future."<ref name="BBC News 9 July 2015"/> Members of the new Inquiry Panel were announced as: * Professor Malcolm Evans, an international lawyer specialising in freedom of religion and prevention of torture * Ivor Frank, a barrister with experience in child protection, human rights and family law. * Professor Alexis Jay, a former director of social services who led the inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham * Drusilla Sharpling, a former chief Crown prosecutor who subsequently inspected policing responses to child abuse.<ref name="law gazette"/>

The statutory inquiry opened on 9 July 2015, with an introductory statement by Dame Lowell Goddard.<ref name="BBC News 9 July 2015">{{cite web | title= Historical child sexual abuse inquiry to open |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33442588| author=|date= 9 July 2015 | website= BBC News | access-date=9 July 2015}}</ref> In November 2015, she announced that 12 separate investigations would be undertaken as part of the inquiry, including investigations into MPs, local councils, and church organisations.<ref name=bbc271115/> On 4 August 2016, May's successor as Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, announced that Goddard had resigned.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/aug/04/dame-lowell-goddard-resigns-as-head-of-child-sexual-abuse-inquiry |title=Dame Lowell Goddard resigns as head of child sexual abuse inquiry |newspaper=The Guardian |date=4 August 2016 |author=Press Association |access-date= 4 August 2016}}</ref> In a statement, Goddard said that she had taken the decision "with regret", citing, among other reasons, the inquiry's "legacy of failure".<ref name="BBC News 4 August 2016">{{cite web | title= Dame Lowell Goddard: Resignation letter in full |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36980938| author=|date= 4 August 2016 | website= BBC News | access-date=6 August 2016}}</ref> Rudd announced on 11 August that Professor Alexis Jay would become the fourth chairman for the Inquiry.<ref name=bbc110816>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37043545 "New chairwoman of abuse inquiry named", BBC News, 11 August 2016]. Retrieved 11 August 2016</ref>

===Scope=== Justice Goddard announced on 27 November 2015 that 12 separate investigations would be undertaken. These would cover:<ref name=bbc271115/> *Children in the care of Lambeth Council *Children in the care of Nottinghamshire councils *Cambridge House, Knowl View and Rochdale Council *Child sexual abuse in the Anglican Church *Child sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church *The sexual abuse of children in custodial institutions *Child sexual abuse in residential schools *The internet and child sexual abuse *Child exploitation by organised networks *The protection of children outside the United Kingdom *Accountability and reparations for victims and survivors *Allegations of child sexual abuse linked to Westminster

She said that the scale of the inquiry was unprecedented, and that it would take five years, but she was determined that it would succeed. She added that all the investigations would start immediately, and that most if not all would include public hearings.<ref name=bbc271115>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34940723 "Abuse inquiry: MPs, councils and Churches to be investigated", ''BBC News'', 27 November 2015]</ref> As of November 2018, there were 280 individual complainants and seven groups of complainants: *Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors *Shirley Oaks Survivors Association *West London Benedictine Order Abuse Survivors *Comboni Survivors Group *White Flowers Alba *Forde Park Survivor Group *Stanhope Castle Survivor Group<ref>{{cite web |title=A List of Core Participants in the Inquiry |url=https://www.iicsa.org.uk/key-documents/797/view/list-core-participants-november-2018-sheet1.pdf |website=Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse}}</ref>

In January 2016, a 13th investigation was launched into Lord Greville Janner, who had died the previous month so that no trial could take place. The Inquiry said it would not let down the victims and survivors. Edward Brown (barrister) was appointed as leading Counsel at Janner's investigation.<ref name="IICSA Inquiry">{{cite news|title=IICSA Inquiry (Preliminary) Janner investigation |url=https://www.iicsa.org.uk/key-documents/406/view/iicsa-janner-preliminary-hearing-2016-03-09.pdf |access-date=26 July 2017 |date=26 July 2017}}</ref>

It was reported in February 2019 that many more cases of abuse than had been thought, sexual and physical, had taken place on children in custody in young offender facilities, secure training centres and secure children's homes. Most claims were made against staff.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47403329 |title=Child abuse inquiry: Children in custody 'still not safe'|website=BBC News|date= 28 February 2019}}</ref>

In May 2020, it was revealed that a 2018 IICSA report regarding child sex abuse at the Downside School later resulted in major financial problems for the school due to spiralling legal costs, which in turn forced the school to sell some of its Renaissance-era paintings to raise money.<ref name=downsideburden>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/05/14/art-sold-support-catholic-school-rocked-child-sex-abuse-inquiry/|title=Art sold to support Catholic school rocked by child sex abuse inquiry|first1=1Craig|last1=Simpson|first2=Colin|last2=Gleadell|publisher=The Daily Telegraph|date=14 May 2020|access-date=14 May 2020}}</ref>

===Replacement of Chair=== On 4 August 2016, Home Secretary Amber Rudd announced that Goddard had resigned from the Inquiry with immediate effect. In a statement, Goddard said that she had taken the decision "with regret", and referred to the difficulty she had faced in "relinquishing my career in New Zealand and leaving behind my beloved family", adding: "The conduct of any public inquiry is not an easy task, let alone one of the magnitude of this. Compounding the many difficulties was its legacy of failure which has been very hard to shake off and with hindsight it would have been better to have started completely afresh."<ref name="BBC News 4 August 2016"/> Her resignation followed a report in ''The Times'' that, during her first year as chair, she had spent three months on holiday or abroad.<ref>{{Cite news|url =https://www.thetimes.com/uk/law/article/anger-at-inquiry-judge-s-absence-pxjjg0cmm|title = Anger at inquiry judge's absence|last =O'Neill|first =Sean |date = 4 August 2016|work = The Times |access-date = 6 August 2016}}</ref> Keith Vaz, the chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said that Goddard should give a full explanation of her resignation to MPs, and there were reports of "friction" between her and the inquiry's officials.<ref name=bbc050816>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36984279 "Abuse inquiry chairwoman asked to explain resignation to MPs", ''BBC News'', 5 August 2016]</ref>

Rudd announced on 11 August that panel member Professor Alexis Jay would now chair the Inquiry.<ref name=bbc110816/> Some survivor groups welcomed the appointment; others were critical, for example not wanting a social worker running the inquiry.

===Senior legal advisers=== In September 2016, there was press speculation that the Inquiry's most senior lawyer, Ben Emmerson, might leave the Inquiry.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/sep/28/reports-counsel-ben-emmerson-could-quit-child-sex-inquiry-raise-fresh-doubts |title=Counsel to child sexual abuse inquiry believed to be close to resigning |newspaper=The Guardian |date=28 September 2016 |author=Ben Quinn |access-date= 28 September 2016}}</ref> The Inquiry then announced on 28 September, without giving details, that Emmerson was to be suspended and put under investigation as it had become "very concerned about aspects of Mr Emmerson’s leadership of the counsel team".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/sep/28/ben-emmerson-counsel-child-sexual-abuse-inquiry-sacked-concerns-over-leadership |title=Counsel to child sexual abuse inquiry suspended amid 'leadership concerns' |newspaper=The Guardian |date=28 September 2016 |author=Sandra Laville and Owen Bowcott|access-date= 28 September 2016}}</ref> At the time of Emmerson's suspension, there were comments{{who|date=September 2016}} that the process was "careering out of control" and had been beset by "catastrophe after catastrophe" ... "a devastating blow for survivors". Former Director of Public Prosecutions Lord Macdonald said that Emmerson's suspension made it likely that the inquiry would end up as an "embarrassing fiasco". {{As of|2016|9}}, the Inquiry had held no evidence session. The Home Office said that its commitment to the inquiry, owed to victims and survivors, continued.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/sep/29/suspension-of-child-abuse-inquiry-lawyer-ben-emmerson-is-devastating-blow |title=Suspension of child abuse inquiry lawyer a 'devastating blow' |newspaper=The Guardian |date=29 September 2016 |author=Matthew Weaver and Sandra Laville|access-date= 29 September 2016}}</ref>

On 29 September, Emmerson resigned from his position, saying that "it is now time for someone else to take the helm". He denied that his resignation was due to differences of opinion with the Inquiry's chair, Alexis Jay. It was confirmed that Emmerson's colleague and deputy, Elizabeth Prochaska, had also resigned.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37514864 BBC News, "Ben Emmerson QC resigns as lawyer for child abuse inquiry", 29 September 2016]</ref><ref>[http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/child-sex-abuse-inquiry-hit-latest-blow-senior-lawyer-steps-down-1584049 Lewis Dean, "Child sex abuse inquiry hit with latest blow as senior lawyer steps down", ''International Business Times'', 29 September 2016]</ref>

In November 2016, it was revealed that several other senior lawyers to the Inquiry had left their positions. Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott said that the Inquiry faced a "crisis of credibility", and sought an explanation from the government.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38000909 BBC News, "Child sex abuse inquiry: Labour calls on government to intervene", 16 November 2016]</ref> The Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, said that she had confidence in the Inquiry's leadership, but on 18 November the largest victims' group involved, the Shirley Oaks Survivors Association, representing people who had lived in children's homes run by Lambeth Council, said that it was withdrawing from involvement, and described the Inquiry as a "debacle" which "lurched from disaster to disaster".<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38022074 BBC News, "Victims' group withdraws from historical child sex abuse inquiry", 18 November 2016]</ref>

On 10 January 2017, it was announced that Brian Altman QC would become the lead Counsel to the Inquiry.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38572082 "Child abuse inquiry counsel named", ''BBC News'', 10 January 2017]</ref>

==June 2017 withdrawal of SOIA== In June 2017, the group ''Survivors of Organised and Institutional Abuse'' (SOIA) withdrew "with deep regret" from the inquiry, as they considered it was "not fit for purpose". They said that survivors had been "totally marginalised" and that the inquiry had descended into a "very costly academic report-writing and literature review exercise". An IICSA spokesperson said that they regretted the withdrawal, but the inquiry would continue.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/13/inquiry-into-child-sexual-abuse-not-fit-for-purpose-claims-victims-group |title=Inquiry into child sexual abuse 'not fit for purpose', claims victims' group |newspaper=The Guardian |date=14 June 2017 |author=Press Association|access-date= 14 June 2017}}</ref>

==November 2020 report on Catholic Church== In November 2020, IICSA published a 144-page report, ''Safeguarding in the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales'',<ref name="report">{{Cite book|url=https://www.iicsa.org.uk/key-documents/23357/view/catholic-church-investigation-report-10-november-2020.pdf|title=Safeguarding in the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, Investigation Report|publisher=Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse|date=November 2020}}</ref> which said that the Catholic Church of England and Wales "swept under the carpet" allegations of sex abuse by many individuals, including priests, monks and volunteers, in England and Wales.<ref name=abuse /> The report said about Vincent Nichols, a cardinal since 2014 and the leader of the Catholic church in England and Wales, "There was no acknowledgement of any personal responsibility",<ref name=abuse>{{Cite news |title=Child sexual abuse in Catholic church was 'swept under the carpet', inquiry finds |last=Bowcott |first=Owen |newspaper=The Guardian |date=10 November 2020 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/10/child-sexual-abuse-in-catholic-church-swept-under-the-carpet-inquiry-finds}}</ref> and that Nichols protected the reputation of the Church rather than protecting victims, and lacked compassion towards victims.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54889033 Catholic Church abuse: Cardinal Vincent Nichols criticised over leadership] ''BBC''</ref>

On 2 September 2021, the inquiry published ''Child protection in religious organisations and settings - Investigation Report'', after examining evidence from 38 groups, including sects from Christianity, Orthodox Judaism and Islam.<ref name=sep21report>{{cite web |url=https://www.iicsa.org.uk/document/child-protection-religious-organisations-and-settings-investigation-report-september-2021 |title=Child protection in religious organisations and settings - Investigation Report|website=Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse|author= |date=2 September 2021}}</ref> "Shocking failings" and "blatant hypocrisy" in the way major UK religious groups handle child sex abuse allegations were found. The report said that some religious organisations were "morally failing" children, discouraging the reporting of abuse to protect reputations, blaming victims for their abuse, and responding to allegations using religious dogma.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Religious groups in UK failing children over sex abuse, report says |last=Symonds |first=Tom |website=BBC News |date=2 September 2021 |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58420270}}</ref>

==Final Report== The IICSA published its final report on 20 October 2022.<ref name=FinalReport/> In accordance with the Inquiry's Terms of Reference, the Report set out the main findings about the extent to which state and non-state institutions failed in their duty of care to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation and makes recommendations for reform.<ref name=FinalReport/>

The report included recommendations for government as "a matter of urgency".<ref name=BBCOctober2022>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63318342|title=Child sex abuse: Failing to report it should be made illegal - major inquiry|publisher=BBC News|access-date=5 November 2022|date=20 October 2022}}</ref> There were a number of recommendations:

* the introduction of a statutory requirement of mandatory reporting. In effect, it requires individuals in certain employments (paid or voluntary) and professions to report allegations of child sexual abuse to the relevant authorities; * the establishment of a national redress scheme for England and for Wales, to provide some monetary redress for child sexual abuse for those who have been let down by institutions in the past; * to secure the long-term spotlight on child sexual abuse through the creation of a Child Protection Authority (CPA) in England and in Wales; * a single set of core data relating to child sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation; * the creation of a cabinet-level Minister for Children; * a public awareness campaign on child sexual abuse; * a ban on the use of pain compliance techniques on children in custodial institutions; * amendment of the Children Act 1989 to give parity of legal protection to children in care; * registration of care staff in residential care, and staff in young offender institutions and secure training centres; * improved compliance with statutory duties to inform the Disclosure and Barring Service about individuals who may pose a risk of harm to children; * extending the disclosure regime to those working with children overseas; * extended use of the barred list of people unsuitable for work with children; * more robust age-verification requirements for the use of online platforms and services; * mandatory online pre-screening for sexual images of children; * a guarantee of specialist therapeutic support for child victims of sexual abuse; * a code of practice for access to records pertaining to child sexual abuse; * removal of the three-year limitation period for personal injury claims brought by victims; and * further changes to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.<ref name="independent">{{cite web|url=https://www.iicsa.org.uk/reports-recommendations/publications/inquiry/final-report/executive-summary|work=Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse|title=Executive Summary|date=11 August 2022 |accessdate=22 November 2022}}</ref>

===Government response to the Final Report=== Home Secretary Suella Braverman gave the government's response to the Final Report, which was published in May 2023. She wrote in the foreword, ''"I am delighted that we have accepted the need to act on all but one of the Inquiry’s recommendations, and so demonstrate how seriously the Government takes the Inquiry’s findings. Each of those recommendations covers an extensive programme of work which will deliver real change for the future. I hope you will take the time to read our response to each in detail. But here I want to highlight three key measures which underscore the weight of our commitment to victims and survivors"''.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1158298/Government_Response_to_IICSA_FINAL.pdf | title=Government Response to the Final Report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse| work=HM Government | date=May 2023| access-date=2 July 2023 | archive-date=11 June 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611001801/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1158298/Government_Response_to_IICSA_FINAL.pdf| url-status=live }}</ref>

However, core participant Stephen Bernard pointed out in a letter in late 2024, after the Archbishop of Canterbury's resignation had been forced due to his failure to act on abuse by John Smyth, that none of the recommendations had been implemented, with no progress by the Home Office or the Ministry of Justice; the MoJ had closed a further unnecessary consultation but published no response to the report.<ref>{{cite news| title=Letter: Church must face up to Justin Welby's damaging legacy|first=Stephen|last=Bernard|author-link=Stephen Bernard| newspaper=The Guardian | date=9 December 2024 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/dec/09/church-must-face-up-to-justin-welbys-damaging-legacy}}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-secretary-oral-statement-on-child-abuse Home Secretary oral statement to Parliament on child abuse investigations, 7 July 2014] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20221101121253/https://www.iicsa.org.uk/ Independent Panel Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse - Home] * [https://www.iicsa.org.uk/key-documents/31216/view/report-independent-inquiry-into-child-sexual-abuse-october-2022_0.pdf Independent Panel Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse - Final Report]

Category:2014 in the United Kingdom Category:Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom Category:Children's rights in England Category:United Kingdom commissions and inquiries Category:Sex crimes in the United Kingdom Category:Child sexual abuse cover-ups Category:Public inquiries in the United Kingdom