The former chair of a child abuse inquiry argues that more inquiries will only stall necessary actions
London: So, the former chair of the child abuse inquiry, Prof Alexis Jay, is saying we really don’t need any more inquiries into grooming gangs. She believes they just slow down the action that needs to happen. It’s been over two years since her report came out, and she thinks it’s time to stop talking and start doing.
Her comments come after some big names, like Elon Musk and Nigel Farage, called for a new inquiry into grooming gang scandals. Jay isn’t having it, though. She feels we’ve already learned a lot from past reviews and that local authorities need to step up and follow through on the recommendations already made.
She mentioned there are around 400 recommendations from previous inquiries that haven’t been acted on yet. It’s frustrating for victims who just want to see real change. Jay emphasized that enough is enough when it comes to more inquiries and discussions. People want action, and it’s time to get on with it.
Interestingly, she didn’t directly criticize Musk, who has been pretty vocal about the government’s handling of these issues. Jay expressed her disappointment over how child sexual exploitation has become a political football, with many people jumping into the conversation without really understanding the complexities involved.
On a positive note, the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, is planning to introduce a law that would hold professionals accountable if they fail to report child abuse claims. This is a step in the right direction, and Jay is hopeful that the new government will start implementing the necessary changes.
It’s been a long road, and while there’s still a lot to do, Jay believes that the focus should be on taking action rather than getting bogged down in more inquiries.
