The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) came under strong criticism today for ‘a profound imbalance in the evidence’ timetabled for the 10-day hearing on institutional responses to child sexual exploitation by organised networks.
Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC today made submissions on behalf of Centre for Women’s Justice, Rochdale whistleblower Maggie Oliver and other national survivor-focuses individual and groups, which highlighted grave concerns in the time assigned for the hearing and its failure to grapple with probing evidence of institutions including police, local authorities and the crown prosecution service.
Witnesses timetabled include a large number of national-level institutional core participants, but independent core participants who work directly with victims and survivors have not been invited to give evidence. Ms Gallagher asked “why are we hearing from witness after witness with corporate speak and assertions about how well they are doing in the fight against CSE without the ability to really probe and push back against them?”
Ms Gallagher QC also highlighted concerns around the time allocated to this strand of the inquiry when compared to others. Described as the ‘biggest current child sexual abuse issue in the UK today’, CSE in organised networks has been allocated just two weeks of investigation. This is in contrast to the three weeks allocated to an investigation concerning two male Catholic boarding schools.
Questioning of witnesses has also been said to be ‘rushed’ and ‘tokenistic’ with one victim being hurried through questions regarding her negative experience of giving evidence at a criminal trial.
Correspondence and submissions raised previously by Centre for Women’s Justice and other core participants concerned the noticeable lack of evidence from black and minoritised victims and those with particular expertise of CSE in those communities.
Ms Gallagher QC urged the Inquiry to consider the issues raised stating “the credibility of this investigation is at stake as matters stand.” The Chair has been asked to allocate more time to this investigation, to enable a wider range of evidence to be heard and to allow more time for witnesses to be questioned.
The Chair of IICSA, Baroness Jay, has reserved her decision, saying she will “consider the submissions that have been made.” A decision is awaited.