The BBC has published a news story exploring the 20 recommendations that were set out by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) in October 2022. The Inquiry investigated abuse in churches, schools, custodial institutions and other settings. The news story looks at what progress has been made. Proposals included: a mandatory duty for people working with children to report child abuse; improvements to data collection, analysis and use; the creation of Child Protection Authorities for England and Wales; and calls for platform providers to pre-screen material for child sexual abuse images. The Government says it is committed to all the recommendations.

Read the news story: The 20 child abuse inquiry proposals – what has happened so far?

The Home Office has published a statement made by the Home Secretary to Parliament outlining the Government’s commitment to tackling grooming and child sexual abuse. The statement discusses recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) and commits to setting up a victims and survivors panel to help shape new proposals and plans on child sexual abuse and exploitation. It confirms that the Government will act on three key IICSA recommendations: making it an offence to fail to report or to cover up child sexual abuse, with professional and criminal sanctions; legislating to make grooming an aggravating factor in the sentencing of child sexual offences; and making reforms related to the information and evidence gathered on child sexual abuse and exploitation, including a new performance framework for policing.

Read the statement: Tackling child sexual abuse

The Department for Education (DfE) has published a press release on the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill being debated in Parliament. The press release outlines how the new measures in the Bill will help protect children and young people from exploitation, grooming and abuse. The Children’s Charities Coalition, made up of five charities including the NSPCC, has published a response to the Bill. The response outlines the need for the Bill and welcomes the child protection measures it sets out. 

Read the DfE press release: Children’s bill to keep children safe from exploitation 
Read the Children’s Charities Coalition response: CEOs from the Children’s Charities Coalition respond to The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill