Single Core Data Set
The Inquiry recommends that the UK government and the Welsh Government improve data collected by children's social care and criminal justice agencies concerning child sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation by the introduction of one single core data set covering both England and Wales. In order to facilitate this, these agencies should produce consistent and compatible data about child sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation which includes: the characteristics of victims and alleged perpetrators of child sexual abuse, including age, sex and ethnicity; factors that make victims more vulnerable to child sexual abuse or exploitation; and the settings and contexts in which child sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation occur. Data concerning child sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation should be compiled and published on a regular basis. This should be capable of being collated nationally as well as at regional or local levels.
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedWe accept that robust data collection on the scale and nature of child sexual abuse is critical to underpin and drive a more effective response to child sexual abuse. We have made a number of improvements in data collection and will additionally be driving further improvements to police performance data.
The Government will publish updated Crime Survey data by December 2025 and support a new Safety During Childhood Survey with ONS, piloting in Autumn 2025/Spring 2026 and producing prevalence estimates by mid/late 2027. The Government will also improve cross-agency use of data through measures in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill to introduce provision for a single child identifier. By May 2025, the Government will introduce an improved police performance framework, including new standards on public protection, child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Progress Timeline
Implementing consistent data collection across agencies; supporting ONS Safety During Childhood Survey. Key milestones: December 2025 for CSEW data publication, Autumn 2025/Spring 2026 for survey pilot, late 2026 for estimates for ages 18-25, and mid/late 2027 for full prevalence estimate.