UK Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse
The seven-year statutory inquiry into how institutions in England and Wales failed children, and the response to its findings.
26 developments, 2014–2026, oldest first.
2014
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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.
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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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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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Lord Mayor Fiona Woolf named to lead abuse inquiry
City of London Lord Mayor Fiona Woolf was appointed as the inquiry's second chair.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
2016
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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.
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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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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.