At Switalskis, we represent a number of women involved in the Government’s inquiry into Group-Based Child Sexual Abuse. This includes survivors who remain part of the consultative process and others who have chosen to resign due to the distressing circumstances surrounding the inquiry’s progression.

As a firm that has worked with child sexual exploitation survivors for many years and have an acute understanding of the courage it takes to participate in such a process. Survivors come forward not only to seek justice for themselves, but to ensure lasting change and protection for others. It is therefore deeply concerning that the inquiry, intended to give them a voice, has instead caused significant distress, confusion and mistrust.

We have written to the Home Office to raise these concerns on behalf of our clients. The letter, sent on behalf of five survivors, outlines the key issues that must be urgently addressed if the inquiry is to regain the confidence of those it was designed to serve.

Letter to the Home Office

RE: Inquiry into Group-Based Child Sexual Abuse

We are writing to you in our capacity as a law firm representing the interests of five survivors of grooming gang abuse who are either currently a part of the consultative process or who have resigned. Three of these survivors are current clients and two are former clients who have requested to be included in this correspondence. We are compelled to raise serious concerns regarding the consultative process of the current inquiry, which has caused significant distress and disillusionment among the survivors we represent.

The primary concerns are as follows:

1. The CSE inquiry has become political. Members of all political parties should be working together for the benefit of survivors. We are disappointed to see how this issue has been handled and would encourage collaboration moving forward.
2. The composition of the panel includes survivors of various forms of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and Child Sexual Abuse (CSA), whereas it was explicitly recommended by Louise Casey that the panel should focus solely on grooming gang survivors. This deviation has diluted the focus and purpose of the inquiry. Including all forms of CSE and CSA in this inquiry risks overshadowing the unique and horrific nature of organised grooming gang crimes. This would be a grave disservice to the hundreds of survivors and contrary to Louise Casey’s recommendations. The inclusion of a broad range of survivors has already created a divide, undermining the unity and trust necessary for a successful inquiry. This division stems from the inquiry’s misdirection from its inception.
3. We are very concerned that Jess Phillips has dismissed allegations that the Home Office has considered widening the scope of the inquiry as untrue, when survivors on the consultative process received written communication asking their opinion on this specific issue. This has led to one survivor, Fiona Goddard, receiving abuse online.
4. There is a perceived conflict of interest due to the pre-existing political affiliations among some panel members, notably Jess Phillips and other CSE survivors known to each other through Labour politics.
5. Since the inquiry gained media attention, following the resignation of some survivor members, the support provided to survivors has been minimal. There has been no direct communication, not even a phone call, to offer reassurance or guidance.
6. Survivors have had to learn about developments in the inquiry through the media, or televised debates in the House of Commons, with no prior warning or official updates, which is both disrespectful and damaging.
7. Those who have resigned or are considering resignation should not be excluded from the inquiry. Their insights are invaluable, especially those of grooming gang survivors, for whom this inquiry was originally intended.

We expect to see tangible changes and a genuine commitment to grooming gang survivors, as promised since July. This includes full transparency and regular updates on the inquiry’s progress. The impact of these ongoing issues is profound, affecting not only survivors but also their families and friends. We urge the Home Office to consider implementing additional support mechanisms for the public and a dedicated support line for survivors of other forms of CSE. This would ensure they are not excluded and that their data can be used to inform future inquiries and support services.

Over the past few days, we have closely supported our clients as they’ve tried to navigate the unfolding developments which have had a significant impact on their mental health, which has noticeably deteriorated. We are deeply concerned that unless the Home Office urgently acknowledges and addresses these issues, their wellbeing will continue to decline. They feel further let down, marginalised, and silenced by a process that was meant to support and empower them.

We trust that you will treat these concerns with the urgency and seriousness they deserve and take immediate steps to restore faith in the inquiry process.

Signed, Switalskis Solicitors

Moving forward

We continue to support survivors involved in the inquiry and those who have chosen to step back. It is essential that their voices remain central to this process. The inquiry must refocus on its original purpose: to uncover the systemic failings that allowed organised grooming gangs to abuse children, and to ensure that such widespread harm is never repeated.

The women we represent have shown extraordinary strength in engaging with this process despite its challenges. They deserve respect, care and clarity. Unless urgent steps are taken to rebuild trust, there is a real risk that survivors will feel further marginalised by a system that was meant to empower them.

Contact our child sexual exploitation specialists

 If you are a survivor of group-based 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.