The government’s publication of an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill, in response to the recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse (IICSA), has been criticised by survivors of abuse and the chair of the IICSA, Professor Alexis Jay. The key recommendation of the inquiry, costing nearly £200m and after seven years of hearings, was mandatory reporting of child abuse to prevent institutional cover-ups. While the amendment creates a legal requirement to report abuse, the new legislation doesn’t specify sanctions for failing to do so. Alan Collins, a leading child abuse lawyer, said the amended law is ‘window dressing’ and doesn’t change the culture that is “so badly needed”.
For decades victims of abuse have accused institutions of covering up the criminal behaviour resulting in damage to young lives. Journalist and broadcaster, Alex Renton, describing himself as a survivor of child abuse, has expressed ‘huge disappointment and anger’ that the government has failed to implement the IICSA’s key recommendation. The new amendment waives the duty to report if a person believes “it is not in the best interests of each relevant child to make a notification,” however, Mr Renton warns that this clause could allow abuse to continue.
Mr Renton further states that the amendment included several “get outs” for those responsible for children. Survivors of abuse are also not happy with the government’s proposals, describing them as “a sham” and “worse than useless”. Professor Jay said the government’s response was a “fudge” and “not a very good one”. Failure to report allegations of child sex abuse, which was made mandatory by the IICSA in October 2022, could lead to a new criminal offence.
The amendment is seen as a missed opportunity by Professor Jay, with Mr Renton describing it as a ‘kick in the teeth’ for victims of child abuse who have spent decades campaigning for mandatory reporting of such abuse. However, the Home Office has clarified that existing legislation applies, in addition to the new amendment, with sanctions to be taken if reporters fail to comply with laying a report
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