Prof Alexis Jay, the former chair of the Independent Inquiry Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), is urging the UK government to implement reforms recommended in the 2022 report. Her report warned of “endemic” child sexual abuse throughout England and Wales society. A campaign group, Act on IICSA, is chaired by Prof. Jay. They demand that ministers commit to a “clear timeline” to adopt the recommendations. The government says it supports the changes proposed by the IICSA.
Act on IICSA also warned against “politicising” sexual violence. It rejected “misinformation” and emphasised the urgent need for overhaul of the systems. Prof Jay distanced herself from the Conservative and Reform UK parties’ demands to create a new inquiry into grooming gangs.
The IICSA national inquiry was created in 2015 and concluded 15 investigations, including into grooming gangs, abuse in schools, and church settings. Its final report set out 20 recommendations for reducing harm to children. These include the establishment of a national child protection authority, tighter controls on individuals working with vulnerable children, and mandatory reporting requirements for abuse.
Act on IICSA said recent media coverage has highlighted a “troubling trend of misinformation” that undermines “the true scale of the crisis and the pressing need for reform.” Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the government is prioritising “getting on with” implementing the recommendations. Billionaire Elon Musk also fuelled online anger over the UK government’s decision concerning Oldham Council’s request for a government-led investigation into historical child sexual exploitation in the town. The Council’s request was declined in favour of a locally-led investigation.
Prof. Jay’s mission isn’t to call for a new inquiry but to advocate for the full implementation of the IICSA’s recommendations. She described herself as “frustrated” in the past by the previous Conservative government’s lack of progress in adopting the recommendations, with a “weak” response from the Home Office
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
