After 2.5 years there is some progress in the implementation of the recommendations made by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. For organisations which face claims from victims and survivors abused by someone connected with that organisation, the most significant impact will be the removal of the three year limitation period and the reversal of the burden of proof. This was previously announced along with a new law relating to apologies. In the statement in the House of Commons on 8th April no further update was provided on when the first wording for the statutes effecting those changes will be available. 

That announcement did confirm that a Child Protection Authority will be established with a consultation later this year. It also identified a number of other steps to increase support for victims and survivors. However, as far as the establishment of a national redress scheme is concerned that is to be considered in the context of the spending review later this year. 

Mandatory reporting is being expanded and draft proposals for the same are already contained in the Crime and Policing Bill. That does not envisage mandatory reporting to the same extent recommended by IICSA.

Organisations hopefully will be pleased to have some guidance in due course from the Commissioner's Office on the retention of personal data relating to child sexual abuse. 

Further blogs will follow on the wider recommendations and implementation of the same.