UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has confirmed plans to introduce a new offence this year targeting individuals who fail to report or cover up child sexual abuse.
Under the proposed legislation, such actions could result in professional or criminal sanctions.
This measure is part of 20 recommendations from Professor Alexis Jay’s landmark seven-year inquiry into child sexual abuse, which concluded in 2022. Cooper stated the change would be included in the Crime and Policing Bill set for introduction this spring.
Calls for a New Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp welcomed the mandatory reporting plans but urged the government to launch a national statutory inquiry into grooming gangs.
He argued that the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), led by Professor Jay, primarily addressed other forms of child sexual abuse and only covered six towns linked to grooming gang cases.
Philp insisted on uncovering the full truth, advocating for an inquiry with powers to compel witnesses and demand testimony under oath. He warned that if the government resisted, the Conservatives would push for amendments to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to force such an investigation.
However, Cooper stopped short of committing to a new inquiry, instead emphasising the need to implement the findings of existing investigations, including the IICSA report.
Mandatory Reporting and New Offences
One of the IICSA report’s core recommendations was the introduction of mandatory reporting laws.
These would apply to individuals in regulated roles or positions of trust who observe indicators of child sexual abuse, are informed of abuse by a child or perpetrator, or directly witness such acts. The report also recommended criminalising failures to report under these circumstances.
While the previous Conservative government had pledged to introduce mandatory reporting, it did not outline penalties for non-compliance. Cooper’s proposed legislation addresses this gap, promising strict sanctions for failing to act or attempting to cover up abuse.
Additionally, Cooper announced plans to make grooming an aggravated factor in abuse sentencing and pledged an overhaul of evidence-gathering processes in child sexual abuse cases.
Pressure to Implement Recommendations
Professor Jay, now chair of the Act on IICSA campaign, called for a clear government timeline to adopt all recommendations from her inquiry.
Cooper noted that Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips had already convened a cross-departmental group and engaged with victims and survivors to drive change, with timelines to follow soon.
Controversy Surrounding Grooming Gangs and Online Debate
The issue of grooming gangs has recently gained renewed attention, partly due to comments on social media by Elon Musk.
The billionaire criticised Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips and accused Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of failing to address abuse during his tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions.
Starmer defended his record, highlighting record numbers of child sexual abuse prosecutions under his leadership.
He also criticised politicians for exploiting the issue for attention, stating: “What I won’t tolerate is politicians jumping on the bandwagon simply to get attention, amplifying far-right rhetoric, while they themselves failed to act during their time in government.”
