UNITED KINGDOM
Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse
17 October
The Chair of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse has today set out her strategy to ensure the Inquiry meets its remit to recommend measures to better protect children in the future.
But Professor Alexis Jay was clear that the Inquiry would hold true to its commitment to look at past and present failings by institutions in England and Wales.
Professor Jay also set out four thematic strands that will be the focus of our work and recommendations across all the institutions the Inquiry is examining. This will ensure the big changes that will have the most impact on better protection for children.
The four strands are:
* Cultural: examining the attitudes, behaviours and values within institutions that prevent us from stopping child sexual abuse.
* Structural: looking at the legislative, governance and organisational frameworks within and between institutions.
* Financial: considering the financial, funding and resource arrangements for relevant institutions and services.
* Professional and political: focusing on the leadership, professional and practice issues for those working or volunteering in relevant institutions.
Professor Jay said:
“I want to focus on prevention without neglecting the past. Lessons have to be learnt from institutional failures and any cover-ups that have come to light. Only in this way can we look to the future with confidence. I regard calls for us to forget the past with a degree of scepticism, not least because some institutions may have the most to hide and a vested interest in not turning a spotlight on what happened in the past. We will remain vigilant for other issues that may arise but this framework will provide the right basis for planning, prioritising and delivering the Inquiry’s work.”
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