Public inquiry experts representing survivors of abuse at IICSA
On 7 July 2014, the Home Secretary announced that there would be an Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), following serious concerns that a number of organisations had failed and were continuing to fail to protect children from sexual abuse. Slater and Gordon’s team of public inquiry specialists represent a number survivors in this extremely high profile inquiry.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, or IICSA as it is otherwise known, is an investigation into claims in England and Wales against religious organisations, public and private institutions, local authorities and people in the public eye. The investigation is to delve into failings, both those that have occurred in the past and those still occurring today, and implement change to safeguard and protect children.
The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry is a separate inquiry set up by the Scottish Government to investigate the same in Scotland.
IICSA began when the Home Secretary at the time (Theresa May) requested a public inquiry after hundreds of people came forward, following the death of Jimmy Savile in 2011, with reports that he abused them when they were children.
Slater and Gordon’s involvement
Slater and Gordon has a specialist abuse team who represent survivors of abuse across England, Scotland and Wales. We’re renowned for the work our team do and currently represent more than 500 survivors of child sexual abuse.
Richard Scorer and Kim Harrison are leaders in this field of expertise having represented abuse survivors for a significant number of years.
Richard, who heads the department, is an authority when it comes to representing survivors of abuse. As well as being a regular media commentator, he’s the author of the book Betrayed: The English Catholic Church and the Sex Abuse Crisis, described as a ‘foundation text’ on the subject and co-author of the book Guide to Child Abuse Compensation. He has also written extensively on the subject for many publications and regularly appears in the media.
Kim, who has over a decade of experience representing survivors of child abuse, is also recognised a leader in the field of abuse law. A key area of her work is ‘failure to protect’ claims and has represented a significant number of child abuse survivors in cases against local authority social services departments. She’s a regular media commentator on child sexual abuse and human rights issues.
Both Richard and Kim have campaigned tirelessly for many years on the issue of mandatory reporting and have worked in association with many charities who support survivors of abuse and sexual assault. The team have represented a significant number of child abuse survivors on some of the most high profile cases in recent years, many of which form part of IICSA.
As a result, both Richard and Kim are heavily involved in IICSA, representing a significant number of child abuse survivors. Of the core participants to the inquiry, Richard and Kim are collectively representing 104 individual survivors of child abuse and one group of child abuse survivors.
We have an extremely strong reputation for not only representing our clients to the absolute best of our ability, but for providing the additional support and empathy required. Additionally, our clients’ anonymity is absolutely paramount to us and, as with any civil claim for abuse, have fully ensured, and will continue to ensure, they’re protected throughout the inquiry.
About the IICSA inquiry
The inquiry began in 2014 as a ‘non-statutory panel’ inquiry. However, there was a concern that many of the institutions being scrutinised by the inquiry had been involved in covering up child abuse. Therefore, in 2015, the Home Secretary decided to convert the inquiry into a ‘statutory’ inquiry, meaning it was given a legal structure and statutory powers in order to compel witnesses to attend, compel the disclosure of documentation and essentially get to the truth. In an interview on Law Pod UK with Emma-Louise Fenelon from 1 Crown Office Row Chambers, Richard details this further and explains the structure and operation of the inquiry.
IICSA is holding 15 investigations into institutional and organisational failures to protect children from sexual abuse. These are:
Accountability and reparations
Child sexual exploitation by organised networks
Children outside the UK
Institutional responses to allegations concerning Lord Janner
Nottinghamshire councils
Residential schools
The Internet
Westminster
Cambridge House, Knowl View and Rochdale
Children in custodial institutions
Effective leadership of child protection
Lambeth Council
Religious organisations and settings
The Anglican Church
The Roman Catholic Church
What’s happened so far at the IICSA inquiry
Currently, IICSA is ongoing. An Interim Report was released in 2018 of its findings so far, and its recommendations to the Government. Since that report, further recommendations have been made by the Chair and the Panel as a direct result of their findings. These recommendations are being monitored through a formal process.
There’s also a large number of reports and statistics which have been published based on the hearings so far. You can find copies of these on the IICSA website.
Richard and Kim have had significant involvement so far. Below, lists just some of Richard’s statements at a number of IICSA hearings:
Child sexual abuse in the Anglican Church – Hearing: 23.07.18 – Richard’s opening statement on behalf of multiple core participants at Day 1 of the Public Hearing – Peter Ball Case Study, in the investigation of child sexual abuse in the Anglican Church
Child sexual abuse in residential schools – Hearing: 30.09.19 – Richard representing pupils (and some staff) from Chethams’, Stony Dean, Apple Trees and others at Day 1 of the Public Hearing in the investigation of child sexual abuse in residential schools.
What’s next for the IICSA inquiry?
In May 2020, Richard and Kim attended two weeks’ of hearings in respect of the religious organisations and settings investigation. These hearings are, in total expected to last three weeks, with the third week due to take place in August 2020. Richard has recently given a further interview on Law Pod UK with Emma-Louise Fenelon from 1 Crown Office Row Chambers, updating her on these hearings and the abuse within minority religions.
The current timetable expected to take place in respect of the investigations for the rest of the year are as follows:
29 June – 31 July 2020: Children in the care of Lambeth Council
10 August - 14 August 2020: Child protection in religious organisations and settings
21 September – 2 October 2020: Child sexual exploitation by organised networks
12 October – 30 October 2020: Investigation into institutional responses to allegations of child sexual abuse involving the late Lord Janner of Braunstone QC
16 November – 27 November 2020: Child sexual abuse in residential schools
7 December – 11 December: Effective leadership of child protection
The date that inquiry is expected to end, is still unknown.
At all times I felt valued and heard, able to have a voice to give evidence in my own words. I couldn't speak more highly of Richard and everyone, without exception, at Slater and Gordon who gave me the support and strength to see through what was a very long and drawn out process.
Public inquiry client
As a victim of sustained abuse, within a very powerful institution who had tried to silence me for decades, a Public Inquiry is a very daunting thing to be part of. Richard Scorer and all his team at Slater and Gordon were incredible with their care, kindness, support and availability to help me through what was at times a very overwhelming and harrowing experience.
Public inquiry client
During what was a stressful time, Richard and his team provided me with outstanding advice and support. I was treated with empathy and respect, and, above all, was listened to. An exceptional service.
Public inquiry client
At all times I felt valued and heard, able to have a voice to give evidence in my own words. I couldn't speak more highly of Richard and everyone, without exception, at Slater and Gordon who gave me the support and strength to see through what was a very long and drawn out process. Public inquiry client
As a victim of sustained abuse, within a very powerful institution who had tried to silence me for decades, a Public Inquiry is a very daunting thing to be part of. Richard Scorer and all his team at Slater and Gordon were incredible with their care, kindness, support and availability to help me through what was at times a very overwhelming and harrowing experience. Public inquiry client
During what was a stressful time, Richard and his team provided me with outstanding advice and support. I was treated with empathy and respect, and, above all, was listened to. An exceptional service. Public inquiry client