The Latest Recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse

Children are more at risk today of child sexual abuse than they have ever been. Currently, there is more reporting of child sexual abuse but fewer prosecutions and convictions. While survivors of child sexual abuse are 3 times more likely to experience depression and 15 times more likely to die by suicide, national issues with accountability and disclosure are only exasperating the problem.[1]

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse was set up in 2015 as a statutory public inquiry to investigate institutions that have failed to protect children from sexual abuse. Independent of the government, it is the only inquiry that is investigating a current problem that is affecting our children today. Advocating for survivors’ voices, it highlights that the problem is not going away but is absolutely on the rise and that a nationwide cultural shift is required to mobilise significant change.

Robbie Kent is the Deputy Secretary and Director of Research, Analytics and Policy and Lucy Duckworth is a Victims and Survivors Consultative Panel member from the Independent Inquiry. Together in this video, they explore the aims and findings of the inquiry, followed by suggested recommendations for the future of protecting children against sexual exploitation. Their comprehensive review of the inquiry highlights the thematic reports of the Truth Project while covering the experiences and impact of child sexual abuse.

[1] University of Manchester, Child Abuse Linked to Risks of Suicide in later life