Survivors of sexual abuse have been failed for too long

Rotherham: It’s been a tough road for survivors of sexual abuse, and many feel like they’ve been let down time and again. Prof Alexis Jay, who led the inquiry into child sexual abuse, is calling for real action instead of more inquiries. She knows firsthand how long these processes can take, and it’s frustrating to see victims still waiting for change.

The inquiry into child sexual abuse was a big deal, especially after the shocking revelations about Jimmy Savile. It opened our eyes to how widespread this issue really is, affecting kids in all sorts of places—schools, churches, and even online. They gathered tons of evidence and heard from thousands of survivors, but the sad truth is that this crime is still happening today.

Even though the inquiry wrapped up over two years ago, its findings didn’t get the attention they deserved. It makes you wonder if things would have been different if there hadn’t been a political shake-up on the same day. Survivors have been waiting far too long to be heard, and it’s time for that to change.

One survivor, Nicky Richards, shared her experience contributing to the inquiry. She emphasized that holding another inquiry would just drown out the voices of those who’ve lived through this trauma. It took a lot of courage for survivors to share their stories and help shape the recommendations that could protect future victims.

Dr. Alan Billings, who became the police and crime commissioner in South Yorkshire after the Rotherham report, also highlighted the importance of including families in the conversation. Victims aren’t the only ones affected; their loved ones often suffer too. He supports the idea of a national panel that listens to everyone impacted by these crimes.