Yesterday the UK Government announced its intention to introduce mandatory reporting of child sex abuse, including making it a criminal offence to fail to report such abuse. Humanists UK, which leads the campaign to close illegal faith schools, welcomes this as a significant step forward in safeguarding children and young people, including those trapped in unregistered schools.
In 2021 the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) found widespread instances of sexual abuse in illegal schools. Humanists UK responded to the previous Conservative Government’s consultation on mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse, warning that religious groups must not be exempted from legislation. IICSA’s Chair, Professor Alexis Jay, recommended that all adults working with children, or in a position of trust with children in either a faith or sports setting, and members of the Police, should be subjected to the new duty. Action is long overdue to protect victims of child sexual abuse. The first consultation on legislation to introduce mandatory reporting by the Government was held back in 2016.
In her statement to MPs the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, stated that measures will be put into the upcoming Crime and Policing Bill to make it an offence, with professional and criminal sanctions, to fail to report or cover up child sexual abuse. She specifically referenced ‘the abuse covered up within faith institutions, including the Church of England and the Catholic Church.’
Humanists UK supports people who have left high-control religions through its programme Faith to Faithless. Some of its service users have been the victims of sexual abuse in their former religious groups.
Humanists UK’s Education Campaigns Manager Kieran Aldred commented:
‘The Home Secretary’s statement is an extremely welcome and vital step for the protection of children. Legislative proposals for mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse have been a long time coming. Since 2021 when IICSA revealed the widespread abuse of children in illegal faith schools we have called for robust action to protect children.
‘The recent individual and institutional failings shown by the Church of England demonstrate why reporting of abuse must be mandatory, and there must be no carve-outs for religious organisations. We will be looking at these measures in the Crime and Policing Bill to ensure all children are protected.’
Notes
For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson at press@humanists.uk or phone 0203 675 0959.
Read more about our work on illegal faith schools.
Read more about our work for people who have left high-controlling religions through Faith to Faithless.
Read our submission to the Mandatory Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse call for evidence.
Read the Home Secretary’s statement on child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Read the final report of IICSA.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 130,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.