The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse has published its final report. There are three documents:
And a very short press release which links to a media pack which in turn links to a one page summary.
I will add links to media reports, and responses from other organisations as they become available.
The UK Government has responded:
The Church of England has responded:
What policies are in place for the operation of UK-sponsored missionary work overseas, with regard to UK citizens? Specifically, are UK citizens working overseas subject to DBS checks? “Recommendation 11: Extending disclosure regime to those working with children overseas The Inquiry recommends (as originally stated in its Children Outside the United Kingdom Phase 2 Investigation Report, dated January 2020) that the UK government introduces legislation permitting the Disclosure and Barring Service to provide enhanced certificates with barred list checks to citizens and residents of England and Wales applying for: • work or volunteering with UK-based organisations, where the recruitment decision… Read more »
With regard to the mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse, what will be the position of the confessional if the law is tightened up? Will confessions in a religious context be exempted from mandatory reporting?
Legislation is proposed to make it a criminal offence for ‘mandated reporters’ not to report knowledge of abuse. Does that obligation extend to priests? I guess I’m unclear who constitutes a ‘mandated reporter’?
We will have to await legislation before being in a position to answer your questions definitively. These are ‘mandated reporters’ (as defined in the full IICSA report): “The following persons should be designated ‘mandated reporters’: • any person working in regulated activity in relation to children (under the Safeguarding and Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, as amended); • any person working in a position of trust (as defined by the Sexual Offences Act 2003, as amended); and • police officers.” I believe the subject of the seal of the confessional is separately currently under consideration. Others may be able to supply… Read more »