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What is happening with the child sexual abuse inquiry? What is happening with the child sexual abuse inquiry?
(5 days later)
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) has been dogged with controversy since its beginnings, be it lawyers quitting their posts, chairwomen coming and going, or victims' groups losing faith in the process.The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) has been dogged with controversy since its beginnings, be it lawyers quitting their posts, chairwomen coming and going, or victims' groups losing faith in the process.
As the inquiry continues its work, here is what you need to know.As the inquiry continues its work, here is what you need to know.
The 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.The 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.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.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 inquiry was announced by the then Home Secretary Theresa May in July 2014 to "expose those failures and learn the lessons" from the past.The inquiry was announced by the then Home Secretary Theresa May in July 2014 to "expose those failures and learn the lessons" from the past.
How will the inquiry work?How will the inquiry work?
The inquiry is expected to take about five years to complete.The inquiry is expected to take about five years to complete.
It will be divided into public hearings into specific areas of concern, with witnesses giving evidence on oath, research into institutional failures in child protection and the so-called "Truth Project" in which victims of child sexual abuse will share their experiences with the inquiry either in private interviews or written form.It will be divided into public hearings into specific areas of concern, with witnesses giving evidence on oath, research into institutional failures in child protection and the so-called "Truth Project" in which victims of child sexual abuse will share their experiences with the inquiry either in private interviews or written form.
The inquiry 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 will not seek to determine civil or criminal liability of individuals or organisations but may reach "findings of fact" in relation to this.
It is liaising with police to co-ordinate a number of historical child sexual abuse probes and will pass on material relating to Scotland, Northern Ireland or British Overseas Territories.It is liaising with police to co-ordinate a number of historical child sexual abuse probes and will pass on material relating to Scotland, Northern Ireland or British Overseas Territories.
A report containing recommendations for the future will be published at the end.A report containing recommendations for the future will be published at the end.
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, including Cyril Smith and Peter Ball.The evidence given at the public hearings is expected to cover a number of other cases that have attracted headlines in recent years, including Cyril Smith and Peter Ball.
So what has gone wrong?So what has gone wrong?
The main bone of contention has been the turbulent history over the past two years surrounding who is in charge.The main bone of contention has been the turbulent history over the past two years surrounding who is in charge.
The first chairwoman of the inquiry appointed in July 2014 was Baroness Butler-Sloss. However, she resigned just one week later after concerns arose around her links to the establishment - namely her late brother, Sir Michael Havers, who was attorney general in the 1980s.The first chairwoman of the inquiry appointed in July 2014 was Baroness Butler-Sloss. However, she resigned just one week later after concerns arose around her links to the establishment - namely her late brother, Sir Michael Havers, who was attorney general in the 1980s.
In September 2014, Lord Mayor of London Fiona Woolf was named the new head, but after disclosing she had been to five dinners with Lord Brittan - one of the people facing accusations at the time, which have since been dropped - she quit by the end of October.In September 2014, Lord Mayor of London Fiona Woolf was named the new head, but after disclosing she had been to five dinners with Lord Brittan - one of the people facing accusations at the time, which have since been dropped - she quit by the end of October.
In February 2015, Justice Lowell Goddard, a serving judge of the High Court of New Zealand, took over the reins and was in charge as inquiry began hearing directly from victims and survivors. But by August 2016, she had resigned her post as well due to "compounding difficulties" and her family life.In February 2015, Justice Lowell Goddard, a serving judge of the High Court of New Zealand, took over the reins and was in charge as inquiry began hearing directly from victims and survivors. But by August 2016, she had resigned her post as well due to "compounding difficulties" and her family life.
In October, the Times reported Justice Goddard had made "racist" remarks when in charge - something she strongly denies - and she has refused to appear in front of the Commons Home Affairs Committee to answer the criticism.In October, the Times reported Justice Goddard had made "racist" remarks when in charge - something she strongly denies - and she has refused to appear in front of the Commons Home Affairs Committee to answer the criticism.
Now we are on chairwoman number four, Prof Alexis Jay, who was a former director of social services and headed the inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham.Now we are on chairwoman number four, Prof Alexis Jay, who was a former director of social services and headed the inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham.
As well as the revolving door of chairwomen, a number of lawyers have resigned or been removed from the process.As well as the revolving door of chairwomen, a number of lawyers have resigned or been removed from the process.
Ben Emmerson QC - the most senior lawyer in the inquiry - quit in September this year after being suspended due to "concerns about his leadership".Ben Emmerson QC - the most senior lawyer in the inquiry - quit in September this year after being suspended due to "concerns about his leadership".
BBC Newsnight revealed the inquiry had dropped an investigation into Mr Emmerson despite being aware of an accusation of sexual assault against him. Mr Emmerson strongly denied any wrongdoing. A Home Affairs Select Committee report would later accuse the inquiry of a "wholly inadequate" response to the disclosure.
He was followed in October by Toby Fisher, one of the first lawyers appointed to the inquiry, who resigned amid worries of "the progress and direction" that was being taken.He was followed in October by Toby Fisher, one of the first lawyers appointed to the inquiry, who resigned amid worries of "the progress and direction" that was being taken.
And in November Aileen McColgan was the third to quit, also voicing worries over the leadership of the inquiry.And in November Aileen McColgan was the third to quit, also voicing worries over the leadership of the inquiry.
Finally, following through from threats made in September, the largest of the victims's groups involved in the inquiry, the Shirley Oaks Survivors Association, pulled out and said it had lost confidence in the inquiry's leadership.Finally, following through from threats made in September, the largest of the victims's groups involved in the inquiry, the Shirley Oaks Survivors Association, pulled out and said it had lost confidence in the inquiry's leadership.
MP for Streatham Chuka Umunna has called for another new head to be appointed, whilst Home Secretary Amber Rudd has given her support to Prof Jay.MP for Streatham Chuka Umunna has called for another new head to be appointed, whilst Home Secretary Amber Rudd has given her support to Prof Jay.
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.Preliminary hearings began in March at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
In February 2017, there are plans for 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 are plans for 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.
But public hearings into allegations of abuse relating to Lord Janner that were due to start on 7 March have now been delayed because of an "overlap" with the criminal investigation. His family are still calling for the strand of the inquiry to be dropped.But public hearings into allegations of abuse relating to Lord Janner that were due to start on 7 March have now been delayed because of an "overlap" with the criminal investigation. His family are still calling for the strand of the inquiry to be dropped.
It is yet to be seen if this will lead to further delays as other hearings get pushed back.It is yet to be seen if this will lead to further delays as other hearings get pushed back.
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, with staff accounting for 41%.The IICSA has a budget of £17.9m in its first year, funded by the Home Office, with staff accounting for 41%.
Panel members will each receive £565 a day, whilst Prof Jay is to be paid £185,000 - almost half her predecessor's salary.Panel members will each receive £565 a day, whilst Prof Jay is to be paid £185,000 - almost half her predecessor's salary.