BASW statement on the final Report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse

BASW welcomes the final “Report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse” which was released on Thursday 20 October.

This final report highlights the bravery and courage of victims and survivors of sexual and other forms of abuse, whose voices must be heard by the UK and Welsh Governments. As stated by the report, “Each account represents a life fundamentally altered and affected by the abuse.”

The seven-year inquiry heard from 725 witnesses and engaged with over 7300 victims and survivors during its work, producing 61 reports and publications.

The final report contains 20 recommendations, some of which reflect earlier recommendations made in the Inquiry’s interim report. Many of these recommendations call for action from the UK and/or Welsh governments, including the call for a cabinet-level ministerial positions with responsibility for children in both governments and the establishment of a single core data set for England and Wales.

BASW supports those recommendations that focus on the rights to redress, compensation and specialist therapeutic support for victims and survivors. We support the proposed ban on pain compliance techniques.  

Others, if implemented, will have a direct impact on social work practice, notably the recommendations for mandatory reporting and the recommended amendment to the Children Act 1989.

BASW is now considering the recommendations of the report and will consult with members across England and Wales on those relating to social work practice in the coming weeks.