Child Sexual Abuse Called a ‘Toxic Epidemic’ as Massive Inquiry Unveils Shocking Truths
‘National Redress Scheme’ Demanded for Thousands of Victims
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) has slammed child sexual abuse as a “poisonous epidemic” leaving tens of thousands scarred for life. The inquiry’s blockbuster final report dropped on Thursday, calling for a sweeping “national redress scheme” to compensate victims failed by both state and non-state institutions.
The IICSA also demands a dedicated cabinet minister for children in the UK government, with Wales urged to follow suit. The report pushes for a new Child Protection Authority (CPA) to zero in on protecting vulnerable youngsters across institutions and agencies.
£186.6 Million Probe Spans Six Years with Shocking Revelations
Launched back in 2015, the £186.6 million inquiry dug deep into 15 areas of institutional child abuse. It exposed cover-ups in churches and more, gathering testimony from over 7,000 victims and survivors.
- 325 days of public hearings
- 725 witnesses called
- 2.5 million pages of evidence reviewed
- Scores of reports published with 87 key recommendations
Alarmingly, six previous recommendations were reissued as little had been done to tackle them. The final report adds 14 fresh proposals and demands the UK and Welsh governments act “promptly,” with progress reports due within six months.
Church of England and Royal Mistakes Exposed
The inquiry blasted the Church of England’s handling of abuse allegations — including the shocking revelation that the then Prince of Wales (now King) was “misguided” in backing disgraced cleric Peter Ball, who was cautioned for indecency in 1992.
“For too long, child sexual abuse has been considered a problem of the past, despite lifelong consequences for its young victims,” said Professor Alexis Jay, chairwoman of the inquiry.
“Allegations were ignored, victims blamed, and institutions covered up to protect reputations. This isn’t history — it’s worsening, worsened by the internet.”
Millions Still at Risk, Urgent Action Needed
According to the 2019 Office for National Statistics, 3.1 million people in England and Wales have suffered child sexual abuse — that’s 7.5% of the adult population. The Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse estimates around 500,000 new victims for 2020/21 alone.
The IICSA sternly warns that unless the government and other bodies act fast, children today and generations to come face continued danger.
“Unless we are willing to accept a world where our children remain at risk, immediate action must be taken,” urges the inquiry’s chairwoman.
