The former chair of a child abuse inquiry calls for urgent action on her 2022 recommendations amid growing pressure on the Government.
London: The former head of the national inquiry into child sexual abuse, Professor Alexis Jay, is pushing for the Government to fully implement the reforms she laid out in her 2022 report. She believes it’s crucial to focus on these recommendations rather than starting a new independent investigation.
Professor Jay emphasized that the goal is to ensure a child protection authority is established, which she highlighted as essential two years ago. She stated, “We’re not here to call for new inquiries but to make sure the existing recommendations are put into action.”
The Government responded, saying they are working quickly to deliver on the 2022 review, which revealed that abuse is widespread in England and Wales. A spokesperson mentioned that protecting children from sexual abuse is a top priority.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister is expected to address recent criticisms from Elon Musk regarding his record on handling grooming gang cases. Musk has made some pretty harsh comments online, calling out various political figures, including Sir Keir Starmer.
Starmer, who was the director of public prosecutions, implemented a network of specialized prosecutors to tackle child abuse cases. Musk has also targeted safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, suggesting she should face serious consequences for her actions regarding public inquiries into child exploitation.
Health minister Karin Smyth defended the Prime Minister, stating that Musk’s comments were misguided and that it would be better if he used his platform to support victims instead. She expressed confidence in Phillips’ ability to continue her important work.
As the Government works on implementing the recommendations from Jay’s inquiry, there are calls from various groups for a new national inquiry into child abuse. However, the current administration is focused on making progress with the existing recommendations.
Campaign group Act on IICSA, led by Professor Jay, is urging the Government to provide a timeline for these reforms and establish a child protection authority to enhance data collection and support for victims.
