Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse
29 reports indexed, newest first.
May 2026
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Crime and Policing Act 2026 creates mandatory duty to report child sexual abuse
The Crime and Policing Act, which received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026, introduced a statutory duty for people in child-facing roles in England to report child sexual abuse, one of IICSA's main recommendations.
January 2025
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Government pledges to introduce mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse
The government said it would legislate for mandatory reporting and act on other IICSA recommendations amid renewed political pressure over child sexual abuse.
May 2023
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Inquiry chair and survivors dismayed by government response
The government accepted the need for mandatory reporting and a redress scheme in principle, but Alexis Jay and survivors criticised the response as falling short.
October 2022
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Final IICSA report recommends mandatory reporting and national redress scheme
The inquiry's final report made 20 recommendations, including a legal duty to report child sexual abuse, a national redress scheme and a child protection authority.
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IICSA publishes final report on child sexual abuse in England and Wales
The seven-year inquiry, which included investigations of the Catholic Church and Benedictine schools, issued its final recommendations including mandatory reporting.
September 2021
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Inquiry says religious groups failing children over sexual abuse
A report on religious organisations found many faith groups lacked basic child protection and discouraged reporting.
July 2021
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Inquiry finds Lambeth council exposed children in care to decades of abuse
The Lambeth report found a culture of cover-up meant hundreds of children in the council's care were subjected to sexual and physical abuse.
November 2020
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IICSA finds Catholic Church in England and Wales swept abuse under the carpet
The inquiry's report on the Catholic Church said it put its reputation ahead of victims and criticized Cardinal Vincent Nichols's leadership.
October 2020
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Inquiry finds Church of England was 'a hiding place for abusers'
The Anglican Church report concluded the Church of England put its reputation ahead of victims and failed to respond properly to abuse.
March 2020
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Inquiry criticises internet companies over child abuse online
The inquiry's internet report found technology companies were failing to do enough to prevent online grooming and the sharing of abuse images.
February 2020
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Inquiry finds Westminster institutions failed to respond to child abuse claims
The Westminster investigation found political parties and institutions showed deference to powerful people and failed to act on allegations, though it found no evidence of an organised network.
August 2019
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Nottinghamshire councils failed children in care for decades, inquiry finds
The inquiry found Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County councils exposed children in care to sexual abuse by staff and foster carers over decades.
February 2019
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Inquiry says children in custody still not safe
An inquiry report on custodial institutions found children in youth detention remained at risk of sexual abuse.
August 2018
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Inquiry finds 'appalling' abuse at Ampleforth and Downside schools
The inquiry's report on two Benedictine boarding schools found monks and staff abused pupils over decades and that the institutions prioritised reputations over children.
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IICSA report damns culture of acceptance of abuse at Ampleforth and Downside
The inquiry found the Benedictine schools prioritized monks and reputation over pupils, allowing abusers to continue for decades.
April 2018
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Inquiry publishes report on Rochdale and Cyril Smith-era institutions
The inquiry found Rochdale council failed boys abused at Knowl View school and Cambridge House hostel and criticised the handling of allegations against MP Cyril Smith.
November 2016
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Survivors' group withdraws from the inquiry
Shirley Oaks Survivors Association, representing hundreds of people abused in Lambeth care, withdrew from the inquiry, citing a loss of confidence.
September 2016
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Lead counsel Ben Emmerson QC resigns from inquiry
The inquiry's senior lawyer resigned after being suspended over leadership concerns, adding to turmoil at the inquiry.
August 2016
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Professor Alexis Jay named fourth chair of abuse inquiry
Alexis Jay, author of the Rotherham report and an existing panel member, was appointed to lead the inquiry.
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Dame Lowell Goddard resigns as inquiry chair
Goddard became the third chair to resign, stepping down by letter after 18 months amid reports of internal difficulties.
November 2015
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Inquiry announces investigations into MPs, councils and churches
The inquiry named its first 12 investigations, including Westminster, the Anglican and Catholic churches, Lambeth and Nottinghamshire councils and Rochdale.
July 2015
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Statutory child sexual abuse inquiry formally opens
Justice Goddard formally opened the inquiry, setting out a programme expected to examine institutions across England and Wales.
February 2015
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New Zealand judge Lowell Goddard to lead statutory abuse inquiry
Dame Lowell Goddard was appointed chair and the inquiry was given statutory powers to compel witnesses and evidence.
December 2014
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Theresa May reported to scrap original inquiry panel
The home secretary was reported to be disbanding the original panel and reconstituting the inquiry with stronger powers.
October 2014
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Fiona Woolf resigns as chair of child abuse inquiry
Woolf stepped down after survivors objected to her social links with former home secretary Leon Brittan.
September 2014
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Lord Mayor Fiona Woolf named to lead abuse inquiry
City of London Lord Mayor Fiona Woolf was appointed as the inquiry's second chair.
July 2014
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Butler-Sloss steps down from abuse inquiry
Butler-Sloss withdrew as chair after criticism over the fact that her late brother had been attorney general in the 1980s.
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Baroness Butler-Sloss appointed to head child abuse inquiry
Former senior judge Baroness Butler-Sloss was named chair of the new inquiry into institutional child sexual abuse.
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Theresa May announces independent inquiry into institutional child abuse
Home Secretary Theresa May announced an independent panel inquiry into how public bodies and other institutions handled child sexual abuse, amid claims about historical abuse networks.