by Jess Gibson
The Home Office has today published a consultation outlining the government’s proposals for implementing a mandatory reporting duty for child sexual abuse.
It follows the release of a report in October 2022 by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) – first established in 2015 and chaired by Professor Alexis Jay – that recommended the introduction of a legal requirement for certain individuals to report child sexual abuse.
The consultation seeks to test a number of “undecided policy questions” following a public Call for Evidence that took place earlier this year, seeking views on the potential impact of a mandatory reporting duty on children, organisations, workplaces and volunteers.
The government is urging as many people and organisations – and particularly those that will be affected by such a duty – to provide their views as possible via the consultation, Child sexual abuse: mandatory reporting, which is due to close on 30 November.
To respond, you can visit https://www.homeofficesurveys.homeoffice.gov.uk/s/YDKIM7/, email mr_csa@homeoffice.gov.uk, or write to
IICSA Response
Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Unit
Home Office
5th Floor, Fry Building
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF