Chamber and committees

Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse submission of 17 December 2021

PE1905/C: Public inquiry into the response of religious organisations to allegations of child sexual abuse since 1950

I write in response to your email dated 8 December 2021 addressed to the Chair of this Inquiry, Professor Alexis Jay OBE. The Chair has asked me to respond to your email as corresponding with witnesses, core participants and stakeholders forms an important part of my role. She intends no discourtesy in doing so.

IICSA was established by the former Home Secretary, the Rt Hon Theresa May MP in March 2015, pursuant to section 1 of the Inquiries Act 2005. It has broad terms of reference tasking it with considering the extent to which all state and non-state institutions have failed to protect children from sexual abuse. Its remit is not limited in time, although it does have a geographical boundary, limited to institutions in England and Wales.

The Inquiry Panel adopted criteria for the selection of institutions and themes which would be the subject of its investigations in the early days of the Inquiry. It also conducted Research and has heard from 6000 victims and survivors of child sexual abuse who have shared their experience through its Truth Project.

One of IICSA's investigations concerned Child Protection in Religious Organisations and Settings. This comprised a thematic inquiry into current child protection policies, practices and procedures in religious institutions that have a significant presence in England and Wales. The Inquiry held its public hearings for this investigation in 2020, where witnesses from several different religious groups gave evidence about their policies and procedures, as well as victims and survivors and victim groups. As part of this investigation, the Panel examined child protection policies and practices relating to the UK Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. The Inquiry published its report in this investigation on 2 September 2021.

The question of whether it might be appropriate for the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry to extend its remit in the way sought by this petition, is a matter for it and the authorities in Scotland, not one on which IICSA can properly comment. However, I hope that this information about its terms of reference and CPIROS investigation is of assistance to you in considering this petition.