1. Since its establishment in 2015, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse has published more than 1,500 reports and other material. These include:
The Inquiry also published statistics quarterly and a Truth Project dashboard twice a year. Further details of the Inquiry’s published material are set out below, while a summary of recommendations made by the Inquiry is included at Annex 3.
2. The Interim Report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse was published in April 2018, and provided an overview of the progress that the Inquiry had made and what it had learned. The report drew on public hearings that had taken place, as well as research, seminars and learnings from the Truth Project, and set out key issues emerging from the Inquiry’s work. In addition to re-stating three recommendations which arose from the Child Migration Programmes Investigation Report, the Interim Report included 15 recommendations, including in relation to:
3. The Child Migration Programmes Investigation Report, published in March 2018, examined the experiences of children who were removed from their families, care homes and foster care in England and Wales and were sent to institutions or families abroad, primarily during the post-Second World War period. Successive British governments failed to ensure there were sufficient measures in place to protect child migrants from all forms of abuse, including sexual abuse ranging from sexual touching to rape, sometimes repeatedly and over many years. The policy was allowed to continue despite evidence repeatedly showing that children were suffering. As a result, the Inquiry made three recommendations:
4. The Cambridge House, Knowl View and Rochdale Investigation Report, published in April 2018, considered allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation of children at institutions where their placement was arranged or provided by Rochdale Borough Council. The investigation concluded that multiple institutions had failed to keep children in its care safe from sexual abuse. The issues and conclusions from this investigation were considered alongside evidence relevant to the protection of children in the care of local authorities in subsequent investigations.
5. The first report on the Roman Catholic Church investigation – Ampleforth and Downside (English Benedictine Congregation Case Study) Investigation Report, published in August 2018 – concerned institutional failures at Ampleforth and Downside schools to protect children from sexual abuse. Both Ampleforth and Downside prioritised the monks and staff as well as their own reputations over the protection of children, and did no more than pay lip service to implementing the Nolan Report. An update on Ampleforth and Downside was published in October 2019 (see below) and the evidence from this case study was considered further in the overarching Roman Catholic Church Investigation Report (see below).
6. The Sexual Abuse of Children in Custodial Institutions: 2009–2017 Investigation Report, published in February 2019, examined evidence of child sexual abuse and institutional failures to protect children in the youth secure estate in England and Wales. Focusing on the period from 2009 to 2017, the report found that children held in young offender institutions and secure training centres were not protected from sexual abuse. The report also found that the number of reported incidents of child sexual abuse was much higher than was previously understood, and that the closed nature of the secure estate – and its focus on containment and control – did not provide an environment that protected children from either physical or sexual abuse. As a result, the Inquiry made seven recommendations, including that:
7. The first report on the Anglican Church investigation – The Anglican Church Case Studies: 1. The Diocese of Chichester 2. The Response to Allegations Against Peter Ball Investigation Report – was published in May 2019. It considered the Diocese of Chichester, where there were multiple allegations of child sexual abuse, and whether there were inappropriate attempts by people of prominence to interfere in the criminal justice process after Bishop Peter Ball was first accused of child sexual offences. As set out in the report, disclosures of child sexual abuse were handled inadequately, with responses failing to display an appropriate level of urgency or appreciation of the seriousness of allegations made and the Church putting its own reputation above the needs of victims and survivors. As a result, the Inquiry made five recommendations, including that:
8. In June 2019, The Roman Catholic Church Case Study: Archdiocese of Birmingham Investigation Report was published and formed part of the Inquiry’s wider investigation into the Roman Catholic Church. It examined the Church’s response to child sexual abuse by investigating the cases of four priests, and considered whether independent reports succeeded in bringing about major reforms. The report found that the Church prioritised its reputation and that the plight of victims was ignored or swept under the carpet, allowing perpetrators to continue sexually abusing children. Evidence from this case study was drawn upon in the overarching Roman Catholic Church Investigation Report (see below).
9. The Children in the Care of the Nottinghamshire Councils Investigation Report was published in July 2019. It considered the sexual abuse of children in the care of Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County Councils, and the adequacy of steps taken to protect children from sexual abuse. Physical violence and sexual abuse occurred in many of the councils’ children’s homes and foster care, and both councils failed in their statutory duty to protect children from sexual abuse. The report concluded that neither of the councils learned from their mistakes despite decades of evidence and made specific recommendations regarding their practices.
10. The Accountability and Reparations Investigation Report, published in September 2019, assessed the extent to which existing support services and available legal processes effectively delivered reparations to victims and survivors of child sexual abuse. The report found that none of the avenues for redress examined were able to adequately provide victims and survivors with the accountability and reparations that they sought. This included civil justice, criminal compensation and support services. As a result, the Inquiry made seven recommendations, including that:
11. The Roman Catholic Church (EBC) Case Study: Ealing Abbey and St Benedict’s School Investigation Report, published in October 2019, formed part of the Inquiry’s wider investigation into the Roman Catholic Church. Extensive child sexual abuse was facilitated at Ealing Abbey for decades, due to a culture of cover-up and denial, and significant opportunities to stop perpetrators in the school were not acted upon. The report also provided an update on changes to the leadership and governance of Ampleforth and Downside, and identified themes in responses to child sexual abuse by the wider English Benedictine Congregation. This included a closed and defensive culture, where teachers and monks were reluctant to support allegations of child sexual abuse for fear it would undermine the institutions and the Church. Evidence from this case study was considered in the overarching Roman Catholic Church Investigation Report (see below).
12. The Children Outside the United Kingdom Phase 2 Investigation Report, published in January 2020, examined the civil framework that aims to prevent people known to be a risk to children from offending abroad. This included civil orders, section 72 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (which permits the prosecution of British citizens for sexually abusing children while abroad), and disclosure and barring regimes. The report found that gaps and limits to the civil framework enabled offenders to sexually abuse children overseas. As a result, five recommendations were made, including that:
13. The Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse Linked to Westminster Investigation Report, published in February 2020, considered evidence relating to allegations of child sexual abuse committed by persons of public prominence associated with Westminster. Although no evidence was found of an organised ‘Westminster paedophile network’, there were significant failures in the response of Westminster institutions to allegations of child sexual abuse. Particular themes included that police, prosecutors and political parties showed deference towards politicians and others believed to have some importance in public life; that wealth and social status kept perpetrators of child sexual abuse from being brought to justice, to the detriment of the victims of their alleged abuse; and that institutions failed to put the needs and safety of children first. The report made five recommendations, including that:
14. The Internet Investigation Report was published in March 2020. It focussed on the growing threat of online-facilitated child sexual abuse and the adequacy of the response of government, law enforcement and the internet industry. The report found that regulation of the internet industry is urgently required and that industry has failed to do all it can to prevent access to images of child sexual abuse. It concluded that access to child sexual abuse images must be stopped and that internet companies must do more to identify the true scale of offending. As a result, four recommendations were made, including that:
15. The Anglican Church Investigation Report, published in October 2020, considered the extent to which the Church of England and the Church in Wales protected children from sexual abuse, drawing on earlier case studies. It found that in the context of child sexual abuse, the Church’s neglect of the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of children and young people in favour of protecting its own reputation was in conflict with its mission. It also concluded that diocesan and provincial safeguarding officers – not clergy – are best placed to decide which cases to refer to the statutory authorities, and what action should be taken by the Church to keep children safe. The report made eight recommendations, including that:
16. The Roman Catholic Church Investigation Report was published in November 2020 and examined the extent of institutional failings by the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales to protect children from sexual abuse, drawing on earlier case studies. It found that the Church’s response to allegations of child sexual abuse focussed too often on the protection of the clergy and the Church’s reputation, and that those in the Church who perpetrated child sexual abuse and turned a blind eye to it betrayed the Church’s moral purpose. It also concluded that weaknesses in leadership have been significant in the failures to address child sexual abuse, including a reluctance to acknowledge responsibility, to hold individuals to account or to make sincere apologies. The report made seven recommendations, including that:
17. The Children in the Care of Lambeth Council Investigation Report, published in July 2021, examined the scale and nature of sexual abuse experienced by children in the care of Lambeth Council. It also considered the extent of institutional failures to protect children in care from sexual abuse. There were a number of decisions and actions that made it possible for child sexual abuse to occur, including keeping adults who posed a risk to children in its employment and failing to investigate employees where they were suspected of child sexual abuse, exposing children to the risk of sexual abuse. As a result, the Inquiry made four recommendations, including that:
18. The Child Protection in Religious Organisations and Settings Investigation Report, published in September 2021, examined the protection of children by and response of religious organisations. It found that many religious organisations and settings did not consistently undertake appropriate checks of those who had contact with children, and that there remain religious organisations which have no process of risk assessment for convicted or accused sexual offenders who wish to continue in their religious practice in communal settings. As a result, two recommendations were made:
19. The Institutional Responses to Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse Involving the Late Lord Janner of Braunstone QC Investigation Report was published in October 2021. It focused on the institutional responses to allegations in circumstances where there was no criminal conviction or civil finding of fact that the alleged abuse occurred. The report considered issues such as deference to powerful individuals or superiors, the barriers to reporting faced by children (particularly those in care), and the need for institutions to have clear policies and practices on responding to allegations of child sexual abuse. It concluded that complaints were not properly investigated by Leicestershire Police and that Leicestershire County Council also failed to take adequate steps in response to concerns raised by victims and survivors.
20. The Child Sexual Exploitation by Organised Networks Investigation Report was published in February 2022. Despite child sexual exploitation having been a designated strategic policing priority since 2015, it concluded that the sexual exploitation of children by groups of associated abusers continued to be widespread and greater than official statistics indicated. Local authorities and police forces failed to keep pace with the changing nature of this crime. It also concluded that there appears to be a flawed assumption that child sexual exploitation is decreasing. As a result, the Inquiry made six recommendations, including that:
21. The Residential Schools Investigation Report was published in March 2022. It examined institutional responses to child sexual abuse in residential specialist music schools, residential special schools (for children with special educational needs) and mainstream schools (a boarding school, a day secondary school and a primary school). It also considered the safeguarding system in education more broadly (inspection, oversight and teacher misconduct). It concluded that, despite 20 years of enhanced focus on safeguarding, schools were not as safe for children as they should be, and that children’s interests did not always come first when allegations or concerns of sexual abuse arise. The report also identified shortcomings and failings in current systems of protection, regulation and oversight. As a result, seven recommendations were made, including that:
22. In April 2017, the Inquiry published Rapid Evidence Assessment: What can be learnt from other jurisdictions about preventing and responding to child sexual abuse. It considered whether there was a comprehensive approach combining primary prevention and response in a number of jurisdictions. In terms of changing attitudes and behaviour, the assessment concluded that none of the jurisdictions had a comprehensive approach. It also found that training, proactive identification and promoting expertise and good practice through specialist mobile teams or task forces in health, justice and child protection can have a positive impact. Support for children through prosecution and the court process was considered generally poor.
23. In July 2017, the Inquiry published The impacts of child sexual abuse: A rapid evidence assessment. It categorised a range of impacts or outcomes that have been associated with child sexual abuse, including physical health and emotional well-being, mental health and internalising behaviours. It found that the consequences of child sexual abuse could vary greatly between individual victims and survivors, and groups, and set out the ways wider society can affect how victims and survivors can remain healthy or recover following child sexual abuse.
24. In October 2017, the Inquiry published Victim and survivor voices from the Truth Project. This was the first publication looking at information shared with the Truth Project and analysed 249 accounts from between June 2016 and June 2017. In addition to key figures on the demographics of Truth Project participants, it considered emerging themes and patterns from the accounts, including reasons for attending a Truth Project session and experiences of child sexual abuse.
25. In November 2017, the Inquiry published Child sexual abuse within the Catholic and Anglican Churches: A rapid evidence assessment. This reviewed and summarised existing research on the scale and nature of child sexual abuse in the Churches, the institutional factors that might have contributed to the occurrence of child sexual abuse and the Churches’ response to child sexual abuse.
26. In January 2018, the Inquiry published Rapid Evidence Assessment: Quantifying the extent of online-facilitated child sexual abuse. This considered sources that measured the scale of child sexual abuse facilitated online by the number of reported offences, number of victims, number of perpetrators and number of images viewed, downloaded or exchanged. It found that all four measures produced different figures and concluded that none of these measures were likely to reveal the true extent of online-facilitated child sexual abuse.
27. Rapid Evidence Assessment: Characteristics and vulnerabilities of victims of online-facilitated child sexual abuse and exploitation was also published in January 2018. It found that there was strong evidence to suggest that girls are more likely to be victims of online-facilitated child sexual abuse than boys. It also noted that prior experience of neglect or abuse, disability, social isolation, the amount of time spent online and other risky behaviour – such as alcohol or drug use – might put some children at greater risk.
28. A third report – Behaviour and characteristics of perpetrators of online-facilitated child sexual abuse and exploitation: A rapid evidence assessment – was also published in January 2018. It found an absence of research about the demographic profile of perpetrators of online-facilitated child sexual abuse. Studies suggested that more perpetrators were male, aged 18–25 and were less likely to have previous convictions compared to other perpetrators of child sexual abuse.
29. In February 2018, the Inquiry published Deflection, denial and disbelief: social and political discourses about child sexual abuse and their influence on institutional responses: A rapid evidence assessment. This summarised existing research about social and political discourses concerning child sexual abuse in England and Wales. It considered both dominant discourses (ideas relating to child sexual abuse that appear to be taken for granted as ‘truths’) and counter discourses that challenge the former.
30. Child sexual abuse in custodial institutions: A rapid evidence assessment was published in March 2018. It reviewed a variety of research evidence, policies and guidance in relation to the prevalence of child sexual abuse in custodial institutions, factors associated with failures and the nature of safeguarding systems in place in youth custody. Existing research indicated that children in custody were very vulnerable, and faced high levels of victimisation and violence. It also noted that around 1 percent to 3 percent of children in custody reported having experienced sexual abuse by other children or staff while in custody.
31. In November 2018, the Inquiry published Child sexual abuse in residential schools: A literature review. The review stated that, although there was little information available about the scale and nature of child sexual abuse in schools, children in residential schools might be more at risk due to the out-of-home setting. It also noted that children with disabilities were at more risk of child sexual abuse than children who were not disabled. The review stated that a range of factors influence the incidence of and responses to child sexual abuse in schools, including power imbalances between staff and pupils and a lack of confidence in addressing sexual abuse.
32. Safe inside? Child sexual abuse in the youth secure estate was published in February 2019. The research investigated the extent to which children feel safe from sexual abuse in the youth secure estate and the role of staff, systems and processes within this. It found that some practices did not seem to serve the best interests of the child and measures designed to keep children safe did not always reduce risk or promote safety. The research also found that children did not always feel safe or kept free from harm and were not well equipped to have healthy sexual relationships. Both children and staff struggled with knowing what constitutes abuse and inappropriate sexual behaviour.
33. In May 2019, the Inquiry published Truth Project Research: Methods, which described the methods used to analyse information from the Truth Project: quantitative analysis using numbers to answer the research questions and qualitative analysis using words and themes to answer the research questions.
34. In May 2019, the Inquiry published Truth Project Thematic Report: Child sexual abuse in the context of religious institutions, which was based on the accounts of victims and survivors who spoke to the Truth Project from June 2016 to November 2018. This research looked at experiences of child sexual abuse that were perpetrated by individuals connected to religious institutions (such as members of the clergy) or which occurred in religious institutions. The research found that those who were sexually abused in a religious context often did not report the abuse while it was ongoing, due to feelings of shame or embarrassment, and often shared that they knew of others being abused in the same institution or by the same perpetrator. Participants considered that the power, authority and reverence bestowed upon religious institutions and the individuals working within them meant that the conduct of perpetrators went unquestioned.
35. In November 2019, the Inquiry published Truth Project Thematic Report: Child sexual abuse in the context of children’s homes and residential care, based on the accounts of victims and survivors who spoke to the Truth Project from June 2016 to March 2018. It considered experiences of child sexual abuse by individuals connected to residential care or children’s homes (such as members of staff) or which took place in those settings. It found that more victims and survivors abused in residential care reported a disability or long-term illness than those sexually abused in other contexts. It also noted that, while the majority of perpetrators were male, there was a higher proportion of sexual abuse involving female perpetrators in the context of residential care.
36. Learning about online sexual harm was also published in November 2019. It examined the perspectives of children and young people about being online, education received about online sexual harm and what should be done to better protect children and young people from online sexual harm. It found that listening to the views of children and young people was critical in ensuring that the ongoing development of protective efforts are relevant and beneficial. It was also a common experience for children and young people to be exposed to the risk of online sexual harm, about which they needed access to appropriate education before spending unsupervised time online.
37. In April 2020, the Inquiry published Safeguarding children from sexual abuse in residential schools. It explored the understanding of child sexual abuse in residential schools from the perspectives of school staff, children, parents and local authority staff, and their views on safeguarding practices in residential schools. It found that residential schools faced distinct and complex challenges in effectively preventing and responding to incidents of child sexual abuse. Residential special schools recorded nearly 10 times the number of concerns per student than other residential schools. Across both special and mainstream schools, prevention work was multi-faceted, including awareness-raising and training of staff, students and parents.
38. The Inquiry also published Truth Project Thematic Report: Child sexual abuse in custodial institutions in April 2020. It was based on the accounts of victims and survivors who spoke to the Truth Project from June 2016 to January 2020, and examined the experiences of child sexual abuse perpetrated by individuals connected to custodial institutions (such as custodial staff) or which took place there. Findings included that child sexual abuse usually occurred from the outset of entering a custodial institution as the positional power and control of perpetrators meant they did not need to groom victims.
39. An explorative study on perpetrators of child sexual exploitation convicted alongside others was published in May 2020. It aimed to understand the motivations of perpetrators of child sexual exploitation who operated in organised networks. It also sought to identify interventions and approaches that could prevent or disrupt perpetrators. The research found that perpetrators could be loosely clustered around three groups according to their lifestyle, motivation, sexual interest and attitude towards conviction. Some perpetrators acknowledged their behaviour to varying extents, with some using minimisation and justification to explain their motivations and offending behaviours.
40. In June 2020, the Inquiry published Truth Project Thematic Report: Child sexual abuse in sports, which was based on accounts of victims and survivors who spoke to the Truth Project from June 2016 to March 2020. It considered experiences of child sexual abuse that were perpetrated by individuals connected to sports institutions (such as sports coaches) or which took place there. The research found that physical contact was a specific enabling factor and was sometimes used as a pretext by perpetrators to sexually abuse children. Perpetrators sometimes used sports-related rewards, such as allowing the child to play in a more senior team, as a method of grooming or coercion.
41. The Inquiry also published “People don’t talk about it”: Child sexual abuse in ethnic minority communities in June 2020. This research report looked at the views of those in ethnic minority communities and their experiences of disclosing and reporting child sexual abuse. It also explored their views on and experiences of interactions with institutions in relation to child sexual abuse, and about the nature of support received by victims and survivors. Participants stated that cultural stereotypes and racism could lead to institutions and professionals failing to identify and respond to child sexual abuse, and could make it difficult for people from ethnic minorities to speak up about child sexual abuse. Perceptions and responses to child sexual abuse in ethnic minority communities could be influenced by expectations about gender, and by the shame and stigma sometimes associated with child sexual abuse.
42. In August 2020, Support services for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse considered victims and survivors’ experiences of support services. This included services that victims and survivors accessed, why they would or would not access them, what made accessing easier, and barriers that they faced. Most of the victims and survivors surveyed had not accessed support services and some of them did not feel they needed it. Those who did access support took a long time to do so and rated them as mediocre; the most highly rated forms of support across all services were those provided by voluntary sector specialist services.
43. In December 2020, the Inquiry published Truth Project Thematic Report: Child sexual abuse in healthcare contexts, based on the accounts of victims and survivors who spoke to the Truth Project from June 2016 to July 2020. It looked at experiences of child sexual abuse perpetrated by individuals connected to healthcare institutions (such as doctors, nurses or dentists) or which took place there. The research found that vulnerabilities were heightened in these settings due to the unique nature of the position of trust and authority occupied by healthcare practitioners. Participants also described a lack of appropriate safeguarding or effective responses to allegations by healthcare practitioners.
44. In December 2020, the Inquiry published Truth Project Thematic Report: Child sexual abuse in the context of schools, based on accounts of victims and survivors who spoke to the Truth Project from June 2016 to June 2020. This report looked at experiences of child sexual abuse perpetrated by individuals connected to schools (such as teachers or education assistants) or which took place there. Findings included that the majority of perpetrators were male teachers or other educational staff, who often manipulated and groomed children and young people, staff and parents. Many had good reputations with staff and parents, or were seen as ‘cool’ by pupils. Some victims and survivors believed that they were in ‘relationships’ with the perpetrators.
45. In July 2021, the Inquiry published Child sexual abuse in contemporary institutional contexts. It examined the Disclosure and Barring Service’s ‘discretionary cases’ over 10 years to better understand the behaviours of perpetrators who have sexually abused children in institutions. The research found that alleged perpetrators used similar tactics and methods to sexually groom and abuse children. It also found that there were numerous missed opportunities to safeguard children because concerns were not escalated, disclosures were not always believed, and institutions and staff did not share, record and respond appropriately to concerns.
46. The Inquiry published Civil Justice System Seminar: An update report in March 2018, which summarised discussions from a two-day seminar about the challenges faced by victims and survivors in the civil justice system. Topics of discussion included civil litigation, limitation, compensation, other types of accountability and reparation, and potential areas for reform.
47. In April 2018, the Inquiry published the Criminal Compensation Seminar: An update report. The report set out key points of discussion from a one-day seminar that explored issues with criminal compensation. This included victim and survivor eligibility for awards under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, the administration of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme and potential areas for reform.
48. The Inquiry published Health Sector Seminar: An update report in May 2018. The report summarised discussions from a two-day seminar that examined arrangements to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse in healthcare settings. Key areas of discussion included the education and training of healthcare workers, recruitment and employment practices, preventing unsupervised or inappropriate access to children and reporting child sexual abuse.
49. The Inquiry published Learning from the Best Practice Overseas Seminar: An update report in July 2018. The report set out key points of discussion from a day-long seminar that sought to explore what could be learnt from different jurisdictions about the role of institutions in preventing and identifying child sexual abuse.
50. In July 2018, the Inquiry also published Victims’ and Survivors’ Experiences Seminar: An update report. The report provided a summary of a two-day seminar that discussed victims and survivors’ experiences of the impact of child sexual abuse, victim and survivor support needs, and support services for adult and child victims and survivors.
51. In August 2018, the Inquiry published Criminal Justice System Seminar: An update report, which summarised discussions from a two-day seminar on how cases of child sexual abuse were dealt with by the criminal justice system. Key areas of discussion included barriers to reporting child sexual abuse, delays in the criminal justice process, support services for victims and survivors, ineffective coordination and interaction within and between organisations working in the criminal justice system, and strained resources and funding.
52. The Inquiry published Social and Political Narratives about Child Sexual Abuse Seminar: An update report in August 2018. The report set out key points of discussion from a half-day seminar that explored how existing ways of thinking and talking about child sexual abuse could help or hinder effective and sensitive responses to child sexual abuse, and how best to challenge unhelpful narratives where necessary.
53. In December 2018, the Inquiry published Mandatory Reporting Seminar 1 – Existing Obligations to Report Child Sexual Abuse: A Summary Report. This report summarised discussions that took place at a day-long seminar that looked at existing obligations to report child sexual abuse in England and Wales. The seminar also explored how mandatory reporting laws operate in a number of other countries, and the impact these laws may have had on preventing and responding to child sexual abuse.
54. The Inquiry published Mandatory Reporting Seminar 2: A Summary Report in August 2019. This report summarised discussions from a two-day seminar that considered the arguments for and against the introduction of mandatory reporting legislation in England and Wales, and the practical considerations involved. Areas of discussion included the impact of mandatory reporting in other jurisdictions, experiences of reporting child sexual abuse and key features of mandatory reporting models.
55. In May 2019, the Inquiry published Victims and Survivors Forum Consultation on the Criminal Justice System: Summary Report. The report provided a summary of the most prominent themes that emerged from five workshops held with members of the Inquiry’s Victims and Survivors Forum (‘the Forum’), and an online questionnaire, about their experiences of the criminal justice system.
56. In November 2019, the Inquiry published Victims and Survivors Forum Consultation on Culture: Summary Report. This report summarised discussions at five workshops with Forum members and responses to an online questionnaire about individuals, institutions and how society talks about child sexual abuse.
57. The Inquiry published Victims and Survivors Forum Consultation on Accessing Records: Summary Report in March 2020. The report summarised discussions at a series of workshops with Forum members and responses to an online questionnaire about their experiences of accessing records kept by institutions, the impact of those experiences and the steps that should be taken to improve victims and survivors’ experiences of accessing records.
58. In October 2020, the Inquiry published Victims and Survivors Forum Consultation on Redress: Summary Report. The report combined a summary of responses to an online questionnaire sent to Forum members and discussions at one workshop which Forum members participated in. Through the workshop and the online questionnaire, Forum members shared their views and experiences of various forms of redress, including financial compensation, apologies and support.
59. The Inquiry published Victims and Survivors Forum Consultation on Protected Characteristics: Summary Report in February 2021. The report summarised the responses received to a questionnaire sent to Forum members, which asked members how their protected characteristics affected their experiences of child sexual abuse.
60. In April 2021, the Inquiry published Engagement with support services for ethnic minority communities, which explored the barriers faced by victims and survivors from ethnic minority communities when disclosing experiences of child sexual abuse. A number of themes emerged after speaking to over 100 community support organisations, including a lack of trust in services, language barriers and living in closed communities.
61. The Inquiry published Engagement with children and young people in June 2021. The report considered how children should be better protected by listening to the experiences of 56 young victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and over 70 specialist child sexual abuse support workers. Key themes that emerged included hearing that young victims and survivors face delays in accessing support, that relationships and sex education in schools is not reflective of the challenges that children face, and that creators of social media apps and internet platforms should take greater responsibility.
62. Engagement with LGBTQ+ victims and survivors was published in May 2022, based on the views of 31 LGBTQ+ victims and survivors and 31 LGBTQ+ support organisations. The report explored the challenges that can make LGBTQ+ children and young people vulnerable to sexual abuse, and the barriers LGBTQ+ victims and survivors face when disclosing experiences of child sexual abuse. These included that society’s views of LGBTQ+ victims and survivors are often built on harmful myths and stereotypes, and that relevant support services are hard to find.
63. The Inquiry’s Truth Project offered more than 6,000 victims and survivors of child sexual abuse the opportunity to share their personal experiences and be respectfully heard, in order to improve understanding of child sexual abuse. This listening exercise produced 1,100 ‘Experiences shared’ narratives which were published on a regular basis. These narratives remain available on the Inquiry’s website.
64. The accounts of victims and survivors who came forward to the Truth Project were recorded, anonymised and analysed by the Inquiry’s research team, in order to provide a legacy for future study and learning. Statistical reports, using data gathered from the Truth Project Experiences Shared, were published every quarter.
65. The Truth Project Dashboard has been published twice a year up to summer 2021, showing the findings from the most recent analysis of the experiences shared by victims and survivors who consented to be part of the Research programme, and were in scope of the Research remit, whilst engaging with the Truth Project. The final Truth Project Dashboard, containing 5,862 victims and survivors’ accounts, is included in Annex 4.