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How will the inquiry into historical child sexual abuse work? How will the inquiry into historical child sexual abuse work?
(4 days later)
A major inquiry into historical child sex abuse in England and Wales is to examine claims made against local authorities, religious organisations, the armed forces and public and private institutions - as well as people in the public eye.A major inquiry into historical child sex abuse in England and Wales is to examine claims made against local authorities, religious organisations, the armed forces and public and private institutions - as well as people in the public eye.
Why has the inquiry been set up?Why has the inquiry been set up?
Reports of historical sexual abuse have sparked concern in recent years. Following the death of BBC DJ Jimmy Savile in 2011, hundreds of people came forward to say he had abused them as children. The spotlight has also fallen on sexual assaults carried out in schools, children's homes and at NHS sites.Reports of historical sexual abuse have sparked concern in recent years. Following the death of BBC DJ Jimmy Savile in 2011, hundreds of people came forward to say he had abused them as children. The spotlight has also fallen on sexual assaults carried out in schools, children's homes and at NHS sites.
At the same time, there have been claims of past failures by police and prosecutors to properly investigate allegations.At the same time, there have been claims of past failures by police and prosecutors to properly investigate allegations.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) was set up by the then Home Secretary Theresa May in March 2015. It will be conducted on a statutory basis - meaning it has the power to compel witnesses to give evidence.The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) was set up by the then Home Secretary Theresa May in March 2015. It will be conducted on a statutory basis - meaning it has the power to compel witnesses to give evidence.
An attempt to launch an inquiry in 2014 was abandoned after two proposed chairwomen resigned amid victims' concerns over their links to establishment figures.An attempt to launch an inquiry in 2014 was abandoned after two proposed chairwomen resigned amid victims' concerns over their links to establishment figures.
How will the inquiry work?How will the inquiry work?
The focus for the IICSA will be on the failures by institutions to protect people under the age of 18 from sexual abuse. A report containing recommendations for the future will be published at the end.The focus for the IICSA will be on the failures by institutions to protect people under the age of 18 from sexual abuse. A report containing recommendations for the future will be published at the end.
The inquiry is expected to take about five years to complete and be divided into three areas:The inquiry is expected to take about five years to complete and be divided into three areas:
Who is carrying out the inquiry?Who is carrying out the inquiry?
The inquiry is currently without a chairperson following the resignation of New Zealand High Court judge Dame Lowell Goddard on 4 August. The inquiry is to be chaired by Prof Alexis Jay, a former director of social services who headed the inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd has, however, confirmed the work of the inquiry will continue "without delay and a new chair will be appointed". Her appointment was announced on 11 August following the resignation of New Zealand High Court judge Dame Lowell Goddard a week earlier.
The inquiry head will be assisted by a panel of advisers: Law professor and human rights expert Malcolm Evans; child protection barrister Ivor Frank; Alexis Jay, a former director of social services who chaired the inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, and lawyer Drusilla Sharpling, the former Chief Crown Prosecutor for London, who has worked as an inspector of constabulary since 2009. The inquiry head will be assisted by a panel of advisers including: Law professor and human rights expert Malcolm Evans; child protection barrister Ivor Frank, and lawyer Drusilla Sharpling, the former Chief Crown Prosecutor for London, who has worked as an inspector of constabulary since 2009.
A separate panel will represent victims and survivors.A separate panel will represent victims and survivors.
What is its official purpose?What is its official purpose?
The IICSA's terms of reference say it will "consider the extent to which state and non-state institutions have failed in their duty of care to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation".The IICSA's terms of reference say it will "consider the extent to which state and non-state institutions have failed in their duty of care to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation".
It will also examine the extent to which any failings have been addressed; identify further action needed to address any failings identified, and consider the steps which it deems necessary for state and non-state institutions to take in order to protect children from such abuse in future.It will also examine the extent to which any failings have been addressed; identify further action needed to address any failings identified, and consider the steps which it deems necessary for state and non-state institutions to take in order to protect children from such abuse in future.
The IICSA will not seek to determine civil or criminal liability of individuals or organisations but may reach "findings of fact" in relation to this.The IICSA will not seek to determine civil or criminal liability of individuals or organisations but may reach "findings of fact" in relation to this.
The inquiry is liaising with Operation Hydrant, an investigation set up by the National Police Chiefs' Council to co-ordinate a number of historical child sexual abuse probes being conducted by forces across the UK.The inquiry is liaising with Operation Hydrant, an investigation set up by the National Police Chiefs' Council to co-ordinate a number of historical child sexual abuse probes being conducted by forces across the UK.
If fresh allegations of child abuse are received by the inquiry, they will be referred to police. And while the inquiry's remit is limited to England and Wales, material that is uncovered relating only to Scotland, Northern Ireland or British Overseas Territories will be passed on to those authorities.If fresh allegations of child abuse are received by the inquiry, they will be referred to police. And while the inquiry's remit is limited to England and Wales, material that is uncovered relating only to Scotland, Northern Ireland or British Overseas Territories will be passed on to those authorities.
Exactly what is being investigated?Exactly what is being investigated?
The first phase of the inquiry will consist of 13 separate investigations over a period of about 18 months.The first phase of the inquiry will consist of 13 separate investigations over a period of about 18 months.
It will consider:It will consider:
The evidence given at the public hearings is expected to cover a number of other cases that have attracted headlines in recent years.The evidence given at the public hearings is expected to cover a number of other cases that have attracted headlines in recent years.
Abuse claims levelled against Cyril Smith, the late Liberal MP, and Peter Ball, a former bishop who was jailed for abuse amid claims there were attempts by prominent people to interfere in the criminal justice process, will be examined.Abuse claims levelled against Cyril Smith, the late Liberal MP, and Peter Ball, a former bishop who was jailed for abuse amid claims there were attempts by prominent people to interfere in the criminal justice process, will be examined.
Justice Goddard had stressed the inquiry will not ignore the damage done to prominent people who were falsely accused of abuse.Justice Goddard had stressed the inquiry will not ignore the damage done to prominent people who were falsely accused of abuse.
When will the public hearings begin?When will the public hearings begin?
Preliminary hearings began in March at the Royal Courts of Justice in London and are considering procedural issues such as the granting of "core participant status".Preliminary hearings began in March at the Royal Courts of Justice in London and are considering procedural issues such as the granting of "core participant status".
This provides individuals or organisations with special rights at the inquiry, including the ability to be legally represented and receive disclosure of documents.This provides individuals or organisations with special rights at the inquiry, including the ability to be legally represented and receive disclosure of documents.
In February 2017 there will be two weeks of hearings relating to the sexual abuse of British child migrants, who moved to parts of the British Empire between 1920 and 1970.In February 2017 there will be two weeks of hearings relating to the sexual abuse of British child migrants, who moved to parts of the British Empire between 1920 and 1970.
Public hearings into allegations of abuse relating to Lord Janner are due to start on 7 March and are expected to finish by the end of May.Public hearings into allegations of abuse relating to Lord Janner are due to start on 7 March and are expected to finish by the end of May.
How much is this all costing?How much is this all costing?
The IICSA has a budget of £17.9m in its first year, funded by the Home Office.The IICSA has a budget of £17.9m in its first year, funded by the Home Office.
Staffing-related costs account for 41% of the budget.Staffing-related costs account for 41% of the budget.
Justice Lowell Goddard was on a salary of £360,000, an annual rental allowance of £110,000 and £12,000 a year to cover utilities. Panel members will each receive £565 a day.Justice Lowell Goddard was on a salary of £360,000, an annual rental allowance of £110,000 and £12,000 a year to cover utilities. Panel members will each receive £565 a day.