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Here we share an article from our consultant solicitor Peter Garsden.
On 9th April 2025, the Home Office published its formal response, and update on progress made with the twenty recommendations of IICSA (Independent Inquiry Child Sexual Abuse) in their final report as long ago as October 2022. At paragraph 79 of the report it is said
The Government is not currently taking forward any further steps on the IICSA proposal for a separate, national financial redress scheme for all victims and survivors of child sexual abuse with a connection to state or non state institutions. We have considered the huge challenges in establishing the scope of such a redress scheme given the varied and widespread nature of child sexual abuse in different settings. We also recognise that in the current fiscal environment, this recommendation is very difficult to take forward, and we believe that the first priority for investment should be 23 Tackling Child Sexual Abuse – Progress Update to provide greater support and care – including therapeutic support – for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.
The significant words from the above quote are “We also recognise that in the current fiscal environment, this recommendation is very difficult to take forward.” In other words the scheme is too expensive to be worth allocating government resources to it. An emotive response might be “What price abuse survivors and the protection of children?”
- The proposal debated during the Inquiry to which I gave evidence was that the institutions, charities, church bodies, insurers etc. would contribute to the cost of the scheme, as has been done in Ireland and Australia so as to reduce the cost to the tax payer
- In comparison to this refusal to allocate funds to child abuse the Conservative government have said that they will spend £22billion for carbon capture, £15billion for Foreign Aid including a special extra £11.6billion this year to fund climate change projects in developing countries.
- It seems ironic that a Labour Government is being frugal when on 22nd May 2023, the last government announced that they would accept the recommendation for a Redress Scheme. They announced “A redress scheme for survivors of child sexual abuse will be launched in England, recognising the trauma victims have suffered, the government has announced today (22 May)…….To be set up on the back of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), the scheme will acknowledge the institutional failures that allowed children to suffer at the hands of despicable predators.….Victims, survivors and charities representing them will be closely consulted as the government develops the scheme, including asking who the scheme should support, how we can best help them and how non-state institutions should be involved.“
- Then Prime Minster Rishi Sunak said “While nothing will make up for how badly they were let down, or the abuse that they suffered, we must make sure that victims and survivors get the support they need and redress they deserve.“
- Redress Schemes already exist in Scotland and Northern Ireland, Australia, and Canada. England and Wales stands alone without one.
Talk TV 14th April 2025
Jess Phillips, Minister for Violence Against Women and Young Girls, was under a lot of pressure to provide an update upon her decision to order Local Inquiries in 5 areas upon child grooming gangs following criticism on X by Elon Musk back in January. She promised to provide an update before the Easter recess. The announcement made in Parliament was allegedly sneaked in on the last day of business, but was too important to have been afforded such a status. In her speech on 9th April 2025, however, Ms Phillips said in Parliament (my emphasis)
On the IICSA proposal for a wider national redress scheme for all victims and survivors of child sexual abuse in institutional settings, the scale of that proposal demands that it is considered in the context of the spending review later this year, and we will make further updates at that stage.
This announcement is different to the online response of the Home Office, so I am wondering which is correct?
Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme
The document also refused to make any amendment to CICA (Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme) as also recommended by Professor Jay in her October 2022 report. Why the Home Office have refused to extend the time limit for making a claim from 2 to 7 years from the first date upon which the crime is reported to the police is difficult to fathom. The scheme was heavily criticised by IICSA for a number of reasons, including their rule to disqualify any applicant with unspent criminal convictions from applying even though it can be shown that the convictions are linked the abuse complained of. The point is that there are substantial backlogs in the Courts and the Police, which means that sexual offence cases take more than 2 years to reach its conclusion.
The upshot of the rule means that victims of abuse have to file their complaint with the CICA at a time when they are feeling very stressed by the upcoming criminal trial, and expose themselves to being cross examined on the basis that there is a financial motive to their complaint. This can damage the strength of their evidence and affect the prospects of the case.
On Saturday 3rd May 2025, I gave an interview to Air TV on the subject, and one or two other topical subjects.
Justice Denied & Sky News
The subject matter was also considered on Sky News using one of my clients referred to as Marie who was abused in a children’s home in Billinge, Wigan, and had been unable to achieve any sort of justice. Her abuser is dead, and it is obviously too late for a Criminal Prosecution. She tried to go via the Civil Courts, but met opposition from the Catholic Church on the grounds of Limitation. The story is covered by this link to Sky News. A big thanks must go to the pioneering journalist Alice Porter
Conclusion
The decision to refuse to implement the recommendation of IICSA for a Redress Scheme is an insult to not only victims of child abuse, who are some of the most vulnerable and badly damaged members of our society, but also fails to respect the report of Professor Jay and other board members who heard the testimony of over 7,000 victims and survivors and considered over 2 million pages of evidence over a period of 7 year at a cost of £180 million. What is particularly galling is that the previous Conservative Government agreed to implement the recommendation, and took steps to consult recognised bodies upon its format. The Redress Scheme, for some of my clients, was their only hope of truth and justice because the present law has worked against them. When the justification is the “fiscal environment” the government are clearly valuing such matters as green energy higher than the abuse of children…………..
About Peter
With over four decades of legal experience and nearly 30 years specialising in child abuse claims, Peter is a leading and pioneering solicitor.
From his early days navigating the Magistrates Court to co-founding a firm that would go on to lead more than 25 major class actions, Peter’s career has been defined by tenacity, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to doing what’s right.
He founded the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers, helped secure the creation of the Disclosure and Barring Service, and played a critical role in shifting national policy and public perception through tireless campaigning.
Now, as a Consultant Solicitor with Scomo, Peter brings his lifetime of learning and hard-won insight to every case, offering survivors not only legal redress, but belief, truth, and dignity.
