On 19 June, we were honoured to join The Survivors Trust and ACT on IICSA for a vital webinar examining the Government’s response to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). The event brought together a panel of experts from across the legal, civil service, and specialist sexual violence and abuse sectors, including our own David Greenwood, Head of Child Abuse at Switalskis, to explore the progress that’s been made and what still urgently needs to happen.

The Survivors Trust hosts the ACT on IICSA campaign group, led by Professor Alexis Jay and John O’Brien, who were central figures in the Inquiry itself. Together, they continue to work closely with ministers to help ensure the Inquiry’s findings are acted upon. The webinar was an important chance to assess where we are on that journey and to highlight the work still left to do.

What was discussed?

The discussion covered a range of crucial points, including:

• The gap between what the Government has promised and what survivors are actually seeing.
• The slow progress on the Inquiry’s 20 key recommendations — with only two implemented to date.
• The need for better leadership and clearer timelines across Government departments.
• Calls to establish a properly funded, independent Child Protection Authority without further delay.

Despite public commitments to implement all 20 recommendations — and the powerful findings of Baroness Casey’s audit into organised child sexual exploitation — progress has been worryingly limited.

Our call for action

Survivors deserve more than pledges. They deserve certainty, support, and real change. Together, the panel agreed that:

• Government must publish a clear timetable for delivering all 20 IICSA recommendations.
• Funding for specialist services must be doubled as promised.
• The independent Child Protection Authority must be established and properly funded immediately.
• Future inquiries must look closely at why delays have happened, and why survivors have been kept waiting for the justice and support they deserve.

What next?

With child sexual abuse once again on the political agenda, and talk of new inquiries, it’s vital that we don’t lose sight of unfinished business. The IICSA was the most comprehensive examination of child sexual abuse in our country’s history, representing eight years of work and £185 million of public investment.

More than 14 million adults in the UK live with the impact of childhood sexual abuse. These survivors deserve action, not more words.

Watch the full webinar here to hear the full discussion and learn more about what comes next.

Contact us

 If you are a survivor of grooming or abuse and would like to speak to someone in confidence, our experienced legal team is here to support you.

To speak to one of our specialist child abuse solicitors about your situation in confidence, call us on 0800 1380 458, or contact us through the website.