Government Failing to Act on Shocking Child Abuse Report
Protecting society’s most vulnerable should top the government’s agenda. But a year after the damning IICSA report exposed decades of child sexual abuse and institutional cover-ups, action remains painfully slow. Promises have poured in — but where’s the real change?
What Is the IICSA Report?
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) revealed a horrifying “epidemic” of abuse across England and Wales. Launched after notorious scandals involving Jimmy Savile and others, the inquiry stretched over seven years and heard from thousands of victims, senior cops, former prime ministers, and religious leaders.
The October 2022 report detailed how schools, police forces, religious institutions, and even online platforms failed to protect children, leaving tens of thousands of victims in its toxic wake.
Key Recommendations Ignored?
- Set up a compensation scheme for victims betrayed by trusted institutions
- Make it mandatory for workers in contact with children to report suspected abuse
- Scrap the three-year limit on abuse claims
- Guarantee specialist therapy and support for survivors
- Register staff in care settings and tighten age checks on social media
Government Promises, But No Real Progress
In May 2023, the government unveiled its response. A redress scheme will pay out compensation — eventually. Mandatory reporting rules are on the way. But critics say action is far too slow.
One year on, survivors and inquiry members accuse ministers of dragging their feet — leaving victims without proper support and more children exposed to risk. The government must stop stalling and act fast, or the devastating damage will continue.
