Members of Parliament were shocked to hear about the confrontation between a Conservative advisor and the leader of an inquiry on child sexual abuse. Professor Alexis Jay revealed that she and her colleagues felt ignored and distressed, prompting them to speak out in the press. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, led by Prof Jay, had its findings dismissed as insignificant by the government.
Speaking to the Home Affairs Select Committee, Prof Jay recounted how her concerns were disregarded by No10 and the Home Office, leading her to write a letter to The Times in June 2023. Despite offering ideas on how to better protect victims, she faced a standoffish response from a government advisor. None of the 20 recommendations made by Prof Jay, including the call for mandatory reporting of abuse, were implemented by the Conservative government. Prof Jay criticized the government’s handling of the inquiry as “terrible,” causing frustration among victims and prompting her to take further action.
Reflecting on the events during Suella Braverman’s tenure as Home Secretary, Prof Jay expressed disappointment with the government’s response to their efforts. She highlighted the lack of meaningful action and the failure to address the recommendations put forward by the inquiry. Despite attempts to engage with policymakers, Prof Jay emphasized the ongoing struggle to draw attention to the unaddressed issues.
When questioned about her interaction with the government, Prof Jay described a contentious conversation where she was challenged for speaking out. Despite her efforts to move forward with the recommendations, the government’s response remained unresponsive, leaving a prolonged period of silence.
Describing the government’s lack of action as “dreadful,” Prof Jay conveyed the deep disappointment and anger felt by victims and survivors who had hoped for meaningful change based on the inquiry’s recommendations. She criticized Suella Braverman, the former Home Secretary, for being unclear and uncommitted when confronted about the government’s response.
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