The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) Background to the Inquiry Overview of the Inquiry Purpose of the Inquiry How will the Inquiry work? The Nottinghamshire Context

Background to the Inquiry An increasing number of reports of child sexual abuse in a number of institutions, including the BBC, the NHS, in children’s homes and in schools. Allegations of sexual offending involving children have been made against people with prominent positions in public life Growing reports of failures within the police to investigate allegations of child sexual abuse and failures to prosecute these allegations. The Inquiry provides a comprehensive and joined-up response to these issues. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA)

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) Overview of the Inquiry Established as a statutory inquiry (Inquiries Act 2005) on 12 March 2015 covering England and Wales. The Inquiry is independent of government. It is led by Hon. Lowell Goddard DNZM, supported by a Panel, a Victims and Survivors Consultative Panel and other expert advisers. It has a budget of £17.9 million for The Inquiry will produce an interim report by the end of 2018 and a final report by The focus of the Inquiry will be on institutional failures and the experiences of victims and survivors will be central to the work of the Inquiry.

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) Purpose of the Inquiry To 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. To consider the extent to which those failings have since been addressed. To identify further action needed to address any failings identified. To consider the steps which it is necessary for State and non-State institutions to take in order to protect children from such abuse in future. To publish a report with recommendations.

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) - How will the Inquiry work? (1) The Inquiry will be guided by 3 principles: it will be comprehensive, inclusive and thorough. The Inquiry will be divided into 3 Core Projects:  the Research Project  the Truth Project  the Public Hearings Project The Research Project will bring together, for the first time, an analysis of all published work addressing institutional failures in child protection. The Truth Project will allow victims and survivors of child sexual abuse to share their experiences with the Inquiry.

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) - How will the Inquiry work? (2) The Public Hearing Project  It will resemble a conventional public inquiry, where witnesses give evidence on oath and are subject to cross examination.  The Inquiry will select case studies from a range of institutions that appear to illustrate a pattern of institutional failings. Each hearing will last for around 6 weeks.  Evidence is likely to be taken from both representatives of the institutions under investigation and from victims and survivors of sexual abuse.  The Inquiry does not have the power to convict abusers of criminal offences or to award compensation to victims and survivors.  The first Public Hearings will commence in 2016.

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) - How will the Inquiry work? (3) Five Workstreams The Inquiry has divided the institutional sectors under investigation into five broad workstreams. Each workstream will be led by a member of the Inquiry Panel, or the Inquiry Chair. The workstreams are:  Allegations of abuse by people of prominence in public life - (Hon. Lowell Goddard DNZM)  Education and religion - (Prof. Malcolm Evans OBE)  Criminal Justice and law enforcement - (Drusilla Sharpling CBE)  Local authorities and voluntary organisations (Prof. Alexis Jay OBE)  National and private service organisations (Ivor Frank)

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) - The Nottinghamshire Context (1) A significant number of allegations of historical abuse in children’s homes, previously operated by Nottinghamshire County and Nottingham City councils and other organisations, have been made, dating back to the 1940s. The County Council welcomes and supports the national Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. The allegations in Nottinghamshire relate to a range of abuse including physical and sexual abuse.

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) - The Nottinghamshire Context (2) Currently, there are a significant number of actions, both criminal and civil, that are under way: (1)Operation Daybreak, which was launched by Nottinghamshire Police in 2011, is investigating over 100 criminal allegations involving more than 100 victims. (2)Operation Xeres, investigating similar allegations in north Nottinghamshire, was launched earlier in (3)Civil Claims against both the County and City Councils The County Council will continue to actively support the Police investigations, as well as the civil claim processes. The safety and wellbeing of children and young people in the care of the County Council must be, and is, of the highest priority.

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) Further information about the enquiry can be found at the link below: