Child abuse inquiry: Turning a blind eye should be against the law
Institutions that work with children should be required by law to report suspicions of child sexual abuse, a landmark independent inquiry has concluded.
The inquiry found crimes are often concealed from authorities, with allegations not recorded and victims “treated as if they were unworthy of protection” and blamed for the abuse.
One of the concerns raised by the inquiry is that many of the individuals who failed to report abuse to the police or social services may have failed to meet their professional or moral obligations, but did not break any laws in doing so.
It said “systemic change” is needed “to ensure reporting of allegations of child sexual abuse”.
The final report in a seven-year-long Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse said urgent action is required to protect children across England and Wales after it found many institutions have “historically inadequate measures” that fail to safeguard children from abuse that happened and continues to happen in schools, care homes and in religious settings.
Chair of the inquiry, Professor Alexis Jay, said: “The extent [of child sexual abuse] cannot be underestimated; the sexual abuse of children is an epidemic, that leaves thousands of victims in its poisonous wake.
“We heard time and time again how allegations of abuse were ignored, victims were blamed and institutions prioritised their reputations over the protection of children.
“I urge the UK government, the Welsh government and all other relevant institutions to implement the inquiry’s recommendations as a matter of urgency.”
Home Secretary Grant Shapps said: “I will keep the voices [of victims and survivors] front and centre in everything I do and I will ensure that the findings of the Inquiry, and their invaluable testimonies, are acted upon.
“To date, we have already taken action to tackle this abhorrent crime and learn from the lessons of the past, but I know there is much more to do. This is the start of a new chapter in our efforts to put an end to this terrible crime.”
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse was set up because of serious concerns that some institutions had failed and were continuing to fail to protect children from sexual abuse.
During seven years of investigating, the inquiry saw 725 witnesses give evidence and heard from 7,300 victims and survivors who shared their experiences in person, over the phone, via video call and through written accounts.
Read more:
Children sexually exploited in all parts of England and Wales as abusers find ‘new ways’ to groom them
1,000 children groomed but unease about race meant Telford sexual exploitation ignored
Rochdale sex grooming victims receive apology from Greater Manchester Police
Victims abused in institutions
Some 36% of victims and survivors who shared their experience said at least one incident of sexual abuse they experienced took place in an institution outside the family home.
Schools were the most frequently reported location.
Within its list of 20 recommendations, the inquiry lays out that the mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse must be an “absolute obligation” for those who work in the regulated activity or work in a position of trust with children.
The requirement of reporting, which the inquiry wants written into law, says “should not be subject to exceptions based on relationships of confidentiality, religious or otherwise.”
Vigilance is also key to the reporting, otherwise, the inquiry notes “there is a very real risk… institutions may continue with, or revert to, poor practice and worse still, actively downplay child sexual abuse”.
Online child abuse
The inquiry’s conclusions and recommendations for change also draw attention to the scale of online-facilitated child sexual abuse, saying it is “not just a national crisis, but a global one.”
They found children are being increasingly groomed and manipulated on internet platforms to commit sexual acts on screen, often for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
It said indecent images of children are being widely distributed and live streams of the sexual abuse of children around the world are prolific, with the number of referrals to law enforcement running into the “tens of millions.”
A change in the law for mandatory reporting is the best and most urgent place to start, it said.
‘Hostile, baffling’ compensation scheme
Many victims and survivors raised concerns and frustrations surrounding the existing compensation scheme, with some finding the legal processes involved to be “hostile, baffling, frustrating and futile”.
Building on the existing Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, as part of the inquiry’s recommendations, it has advised the government to bulk up the compensation given to victims and survivors by seeking contributions to the scheme from the institutions responsible for past child sexual abuse.
Comedy writer Bill Dare, – who worked on shows including Spitting Image and Dead Ringers – has died after an accident overseas, his agent said.
Described as a “super producer” by his peers, Dare, 64, worked on eight series of hugely popular satire puppet show Spitting Image.
Airing on ITV during the 1980s and 1990s, the show delighted in lampooning public figures including politicians, celebrities and royalty, winning BAFTAs and Emmys. It was rebooted in 2020.
Dare also created Dead Ringers, a comedy impressions show broadcast on BBC Radio 4.
He also produced The Now Show, a satirical take on the news which ran on Radio 4 from 1998 to 2024.
Dare worked on a wide range of comedy shows during his career, including the radio production of The Mary Whitehouse Experience in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He had also written several novels.
In a statement released on Monday, his agent JFL Agency confirmed he died at the weekend.
A spokesperson said: “We are shocked and greatly saddened to have to announce the death of our brilliant client Bill Dare, who died at the weekend following an accident overseas.
“Our thoughts are with his wife Lucy, daughter Rebecca, and with all of Bill’s family and friends who will be devastated by his loss.
“Bill was a truly legendary producer and writer, and his comedy instincts were second to none.”
Oasis depicted on Spitting Image in 1996. Pic: ITV/Shutterstock
Colleagues were quick to pay tribute and reflect on his talent.
Impressionist Jon Culshaw wrote on X: “It’s impossible to express the unreal sense of loss at the passing of the incredible Bill Dare. The wisest comedy alchemist and the dearest, dearest friend. Much love to Lucy and all Bill’s family and friends. We shall all miss him more than we can say.”
David Baddiel posted on the social media platform: “Just heard that the original producer of The Mary Whitehouse Experience on radio, Bill Dare, has died. Bill was an amazing creative force. I owe him much. RIP.”
Former EastEnders actress Tracy-Ann Oberman said she was “devastated” and that her “entire comedy career was down to Bill”.
She wrote: “When I was on the BBC Radio 4 rep company early on in career – I ran into Bill in the corridors – He asked if I was good at accents. I said yes.
“He cast me in a sketch show. I had to do about 15 different accents. We recorded in front of a live audience at Broadcasting House – afterwards Bill said ‘Why have I never met you – you’re going to have a big career’.
“He was incredibly loyal and supportive and really opened a path for me into the R4 comedy world and then TV having come out of the RSC and theatre it was all new. I will always be grateful. Fly high Bill.”
Comedian and writer Mark Steel wrote: “This is so grim. Bill was a compassionate hearty soul with the ability to be beautifully grumpy, a marvellously thoughtful comic mind.
“He’d argue but always listen and you’d always laugh, he made a million shows and wanted them all to matter and would have made a million more.”
Have I Got News for You writer Pete Sinclair said: “I am utterly devastated by Bill’s death. I still can’t believe it. He was a comedy genius. A hugely talented writer as well as a brilliant producer. A close friend and co-writer. I cannot begin to say how much I’ll miss him.”
Read more from Sky News:
Dolly Parton’s husband of nearly 60 years dies
With Love, Meghan: What we learnt from new Netflix series
The Crown actor ‘told to attend police interview’
Julia McKenzie, comedy commissioner for Radio 4, said: “I am so terribly sorry to hear this tragic news and my thoughts are with Bill’s wife, family and friends.
“Bill has been a huge part of Radio 4 comedy for decades, as a writer and producer, and listeners will have heard his legendary name at the end of many of their favourite shows.
“Bill was a comedy obsessive, and very instinctive about making the funniest choices when it came to writing, directing and editing.
“He cared so much about his work that in the production booth during Dead Ringers you’d see him crouched over the script, utterly focused on the show.
“He was funny and very dry in person, amusingly cynical when he needed to be and always pushed to keep the comedy he made, and particularly satire, spiky.
“I’ve known and worked with him for 18 years and like many I can’t believe he has gone, he will leave a big hole in the comedy world and in our hearts.”
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports11 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business2 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway