By Charlotte Webster-
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse is calling for the participation of efficient professional individuals into an investigation it is launching about effective leadership of child protection.
It is inviting applications for ‘core participant’ status for the investigation, which grants individuals or organisations defined rights to participate in the process, including making legal submissions, being legally represented and having disclosure of documents.
The Inquiry Team consists of a Chair, in our case, Professor Alexis Jay OBE, ( supported by a panel,(pictured above) a legal team including a lead Counsel and a Solicitor to the Inquiry as well as Inquiry support staff.
A spokesperson for the IICSA told The Eye Of Media.Com that:
”sexual abuse is a very serious offence that can have lasting effects on the minds of its victims. It is important that we learn any lessons that are important and conduct efficient investigations where necessary. We want to involve efficient individuals and organisations.
One of our the main objectives of the inquiry is to consider whether State and non-State institutions failed to identify such abuse and whether there was an inappropriate institutional response to allegations of child sexual abuse or ineffective child protection procedures in place”.
Set up by the Home Secretary, each investigation will comprise of hearing expected to take place in Southwark, South London. The investigations will conclude with a report setting out the Inquiry’s conclusions on institutional failings and then making recommendations..
FORCE
Sexual abuse of children involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities. The activities may involve physical contact and non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse including via the internet. Child sexual abuse includes child sexual exploitation
The probe is designed to investigate the last of 15 investigations carried out by the inquiry. It will focus on a number of issues including how organisations respond to whistle blowers and recommendations from serious case reviews, and on embedding a ‘learning’, not a ‘blaming’ culture.
VOICE
The investigations will also give a voice to victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, enable the Inquiry to understand how institutions have failed to protect children from sexual abuse and make practical recommendations to ensure better institutional protection for children in the future.
The inquiry also seeks to ensure the achievement of openness, transparency and good communication. It seeks to ensure good communication, escalation of issues and concerns with clear lines of accountability, and good leadership in scenarios where there is no direct line management structure.
It also seeks to use management and audit information to understand the institution, its systems and its performance, so that systemic warning signs can be identified early.
Responding appropriately to internal and external pressure, for example from politicians, community leaders, parents, funding providers, and other key stakeholders so that child welfare and protection is prioritised.
The inquiry will hold a preliminary hearing for the inquiry on 25 February. Prior to that, it is inviting applications for ‘core participant’ status for the investigation, which grants individuals or organisations defined rights to participate in the process, including making legal submissions, being legally represented and having disclosure of documents.