Establishment of a compensation program for child sexual abuse victims

The government has announced that a redress scheme for survivors of child sexual abuse will be established in England, recognizing the trauma experienced by victims (22 May).

This initiative, stemming from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), will address the institutional failures that permitted children to be victimized by abhorrent predators.

The government will closely consult with victims, survivors, and their representative charities as the scheme is developed, seeking input on whom it should support, the best ways to assist them, and the involvement of non-state institutions.

Furthermore, the government is expeditiously moving to enforce mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse in England, mandating that anyone working with young people report suspicions of sexual abuse or exploitation. This requirement aims to prevent ongoing child abuse and ensure that victims receive timely support. A public call for evidence lasting 12 weeks has been launched today to discuss the implementation of this measure.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated:

Thousands of courageous victims and survivors provided testimonies to the Independent Inquiry, revealing heartbreaking accounts of being ignored by those meant to protect them.

While no amount of compensation can rectify the grave injustices or the abuse they endured, we must ensure that victims and survivors receive the support and redress they rightly deserve.

We will leave no stone unturned in our commitment to eradicate these heinous crimes, hold perpetrators accountable, and guarantee that every child across the country can grow up in a secure environment.

The Independent Inquiry, led by Professor Alexis Jay, spent seven years investigating extensive failures within state and non-state institutions in safeguarding children in England and Wales. The inquiry scrutinized government departments, the police, educational establishments, local authorities, religious groups, political entities, and the armed services.

Over 6,000 brave victims of child sexual abuse shared their stories, and the inquiry reviewed 4.2 million written pieces of evidence from charities, institutions, and witnesses.

The government has heeded the voices of victims and survivors, thoroughly reviewing the meticulous work of the Independent Inquiry over many years. Consequently, it has committed to implementing profound changes to ensure children are never again if inadequately protected by the very institutions designed to safeguard them.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman remarked:

Thanks to the courageous testimonies of thousands of victims, this inquiry has unveiled a dark and alarming reality – that many adults turned a blind eye to the serious sexual abuse of children in their care.

While no apology or compensation can undo the traumatic abuse these individuals faced, recognizing and acknowledging their suffering is essential. This is the purpose of the compensation scheme.

By implementing mandatory reporting for adults working with children, we are illuminating a crime that has remained concealed for far too long. Today, we are bringing this issue into the light and asserting ‘no more’. Perpetrators, you will have nowhere to hide.

The opinions of victims and charities will also be actively sought concerning future therapeutic support.

In response to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, the government is additionally:

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan shared:

Each individual who stepped forward to provide evidence to the inquiry demonstrated tremendous bravery, and we owe them our gratitude for ensuring that sexual abuse will never again go unnoticed.

I am completely committed to ensuring that the reforms in children’s social care, child protection, and broader societal changes yield the necessary improvements.

The work we are pursuing on mandatory reporting is critical in addressing the concerns highlighted by the independent review, and I urge victims, survivors, children, and those who work with them to share their insights – your voices must continue to resonate.

These initiatives build upon the government’s recent commitment to combat grooming gangs via a new Grooming Gangs Taskforce, empowering specialized officers to assist police forces in live child sexual exploitation and grooming investigations, bringing more perpetrators to justice.