No mandatory child abuse reporting
11 items
2 sources
Lack of statutory duty for certain individuals ('mandated reporters') to report child sexual abuse when disclosed.
Cross-Source Insight
No mandatory child abuse reporting has been flagged across 2 independent accountability sources:
5 inquiry recs
6 PFD reports
This issue has been identified by multiple independent accountability bodies, suggesting it is a recurring systemic concern.
Inquiry Recommendations (5)
37 — Westminster whistleblowing policies for CSA
Recommendation: Government, political parties and other Westminster institutions must have whistleblowing policies and procedures which cover child sexual abuse and exploitation. Every employee must be aware that they can raise any concerns using these policies and that the policies are not …
Gov response: On 18 September 2020, the UK government confirmed that all government departments have whistleblowing policies in place. It confirmed that Civil Service HR has a model policy to support departments in ensuring their policies are …
Accepted
Delivered
38 — Government department safeguarding policy reviews
Recommendation: The Cabinet Office must ensure that each government department reviews its child safeguarding policy or policies in light of the expert witness report of Professor Thoburn. There must also be published procedures to accompany their policies, in order that staff …
Gov response: On 18 September 2020, the UK government confirmed that all government departments were aware of Professor Thoburn's report. It also stated that Civil Service HR had launched a model safeguarding policy and 'Health Check' process, …
Accepted
Delivered
39 — Political party safeguarding policies
Recommendation: All political parties registered with the Electoral Commission in England and in Wales must ensure that they have a comprehensive safeguarding policy. All political parties must also ensure that they have procedures to accompany their policies, in order that politicians, …
Gov response: On 3 July 2020, the Electoral Commission stated that given the statutory scope of its remit, introducing a requirement that the Commission should monitor and oversee compliance of the safeguarding policies of political parties would …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
6 — Redraft canonical crimes as crimes against the child
Recommendation: The Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales should request that the Holy See redraft the canonical crimes relating to child sexual abuse as crimes against the child.
Gov response: On 30 September 2021, the Catholic Council for the Inquiry confirmed that Book VI of the Code of Canon Law determines the penal norms in order to give precise and sure guidance to those who …
Accepted
Delivered
FR-13 — Mandatory Reporting
Recommendation: The Inquiry recommends that the UK government and Welsh Government introduce legislation which places certain individuals - 'mandated reporters' - under a statutory duty to report child sexual abuse where they: receive a disclosure of child sexual abuse from a …
Gov response: We accept the need for mandatory reporting; the Government has agreed to implement a mandatory reporting regime for child sexual abuse which will be informed by a full public consultation, beginning with the publication of …
Accepted in Part
In progress
PFD Reports (6)
Alexander Eastwood
Concerns: There is a lack of guidance and regulation for children's contact sports, particularly for unofficial matches, leading to an absence of minimum standards for safeguarding, medical support, and risk management.
Responded
Molly Russell
Concerns: Internet platforms lack age verification, age-specific content control, and parental monitoring features, exposing children to harmful material through algorithms and unrestricted access.
Responded
Harper Denton
Concerns: Police forces failed to adopt guidance for managing violent offenders and lacked proactive information sharing to protect children. Additionally, a national register for child cruelty offenders is missing, and health visitor safeguarding assessments are not mandatory.
Responded
Ann Maguire
Concerns: There is inconsistent management of weapon risks in schools; OFSTED should make it mandatory for inspectors to review and report on how schools prevent weapons from being brought onto premises.
Overdue
Karnel Haughton
Concerns: Uncensored online videos promote dangerous 'choking game' activities, yet there is no national guidance for schools or support for parents, risking further injuries and deaths.
Overdue
Harry Mellor
Concerns: There is no reliable system to track child GP de-registration, creating significant safeguarding risks, especially for children with chronic health needs, as specialist teams are not informed.
Overdue