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IICSA published its final Report in October 2022. This website was last updated in January 2023.

Description of the Scope of Investigations

POLICY STATEMENT: Description of the scope of investigations

This is a statement issued by the Chair and Panel of the Inquiry setting out the Inquiry’s policy in relation to the descriptions of the scope of the investigations to be conducted by the Inquiry.

As part of the Public Hearings Project, the Inquiry will conduct both thematic and institution­specific investigations into failures to protect children from sexual abuse. Those investigations are likely to, but need not, result in public hearings.

At the commencement of each investigation, the Chair and the Panel will publish a description of the scope of that investigation. That description of scope will guide the Inquiry’s investigations, and provide affected individuals and institutions with a clear understanding of the purpose and direction of the investigation.

The published description of scope in relation to any investigation is not intended to fetter the Inquiry’s discretion to investigate any matter falling within the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference. Accordingly, the published description of the scope of all investigations should be read in light of the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference and the Chair’s Opening Statement of 9 July 2015. As any individual investigation proceeds, the description of scope may be amended, supplemented or modified consistently with the Terms of Reference and subject to the Inquiry’s duty to act fairly.

27 November 2015

Hon. Lowell Goddard DNZM
Chair to the Inquiry

Malcolm Evans OBE
Ivor Frank
Alexis Jay OBE
Drusilla Sharpling CBE
Panel Members

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