Part A: Introduction
1. ‘Victims and Survivors’ Voices’ recognises the experiences of approximately 7,300 victims and survivors of child sexual abuse who participated in the Inquiry’s work.[1] It reflects their accounts of child sexual abuse and draws on experiences recounted to the Inquiry of the institutional responses that followed.
2. The language used to refer to individuals reflects the different ways in which victims and survivors engaged with the Inquiry. Pseudonyms have been used to protect the anonymity of victims and survivors who spoke to the Inquiry through the Truth Project or participated in the Inquiry’s research. Ciphers (eg ‘AN-A89’) have been used for complainant core participants or other witnesses who provided evidence in the Inquiry’s investigations. The real names of victims and survivors have been used where complainant core participants have chosen to waive their right to anonymity.
3. Statistics are based on 5,862 victims and survivors who participated in the Truth Project between June 2016 and October 2021 and consented to their information being used for research purposes.[2] Figure A.1 provides an overview of the socio-demographic characteristics of those Truth Project participants.
4. By describing the experiences of victims and survivors, the Inquiry aims to increase public and institutional understanding about child sexual abuse and the impact it can have on victims and survivors.
Figure A.1: Socio-demographic characteristics of Truth Project participants at the time of attending the Truth Project*
Long Description
Socio-demographic characteristics of Truth Project participants at the time of attending the Truth Project
| Percentage | |
|---|---|
| Female | 70 |
| Male | 29 |
| Other | 0.40 |
| Percentage | |
|---|---|
| Asian/Asian British | 3 |
| Black/African/Caribbean/Black British | 2 |
| Mixed/Multiple ethnic groups | 4 |
| White | 90 |
| Other ethnic group | 1 |
| Percentage | |
|---|---|
| 16–19 years | 1 |
| 20–29 years | 9 |
| 30–39 years | 15 |
| 40–49 years | 24 |
| 50–59 years | 30 |
| 60–69 years | 15 |
| 70–79 years | 5 |
| 80 or older | 0.4 |
| Percentage | |
|---|---|
| Current disability | 45 |
| No current disability | 55 |
| Disability as a child | 7 |
| No disability as a child | 93 |
| Percentage | |
|---|---|
| Bisexual | 6 |
| Gay man | 3 |
| Gay women/lesbian | 4 |
| Heterosexual/straight | 85 |
| Other | 2 |
* The socio-demographic data of Truth Project participants were gathered by the completion of a voluntary monitoring form or through information shared with facilitators and assistant facilitators during Truth Project sessions. The groupings and terminology used to describe socio-demographic characteristics are based on those used by the Office for National Statistics: Cultural identity – Office for National Statistics.