Investigations & research

The Inquiry conducted 15 investigations into a broad range of institutions identified on the basis of the Chair and Panel’s criteria for selection of investigations.

The investigations gave a voice to victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, enabling the Inquiry to understand how institutions have failed to protect children from sexual abuse and make practical recommendations to ensure better institutional protection for children in the future.

The Inquiry also had a dedicated research function, set up to support the Inquiry to ask the right questions of the institutions investigated and to generate new insight into child sexual abuse.

The research team consisted of social researchers and statisticians who had previously worked across a wide variety of organisations, including government departments, market research organisations, academia and third sector organisations.

Our research brought together what was already known about child sexual abuse, and undertook research to fill knowledge gaps. Our researchers also analysed the information received through the Truth Project and helped to ensure the best use of high quality data across the Inquiry.