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Government announces more funding to help victims of child sexual abuse (27 July 2016)

Date: 27/07/2016
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Government announces more funding to help victims of child sexual abuse

The government has announced more funding to enable victims of sexual abuse to receive additional support.

A public consultation is also being launched on the reporting of child abuse and neglect.

The Minister for Vulnerability, Safeguarding and Countering Extremism, Sarah Newton, announced that the new funding – awarded to Rape Crisis England and Wales, Galop, the Survivors Trust, LimeCulture and National Association of People Abused in Childhood – and said the additional funding would provide vital services, including training staff to assist victims, boosting rape support centres and establishing a helpline for victims of sexual abuse.

The Home Office and Department for Education launched the public consultation exercise on whether statutory measures should be introduced for reporting and acting on child abuse and neglect.

The consultation runs until Thursday 13 October and seeks views from the public, practitioners and professionals on the case for the possible introduction of one of two additional statutory measures, including a mandatory reporting duty – which would require certain organisations and any person working with children to report child abuse or neglect if they knew or had reasonable cause to suspect it was taking place; and a duty to act, which would require them to take appropriate action in relation to child abuse or neglect, if they knew or had reasonable cause to suspect child abuse was taking place.

The consultation delivers on the commitment made by the government in 2015 as part of the Serious Crime Act.

Minister for Vulnerability, Safeguarding and Countering Extremism Sarah Newton said:

“Sexual abuse is an abhorrent crime and it is vital we give every victim the support they need.

“This new frontline funding is a key part of the ongoing action we are taking to help the victims who need it most, as they recover from the trauma they have suffered.”

Minister of State for the Department of Education Edward Timpson added:

“We must do all we can to protect children and young people from abuse and neglect – that’s why we’re making radical improvements to make sure services identify children at risk as early as possible and take swift action to give them the protection and care they need; but events in Rotherham, Oxford and elsewhere show there is still more to be done.

“It’s right therefore that we look at whether it’s necessary to strengthen the law to better protect the most vulnerable.

“I know that social workers, teachers and other professionals are as passionate about protecting the young people they care for as I am – I would encourage them to share their views with us over the next 12 weeks.

“This government is already introducing a number of wide-ranging reforms aimed at strengthening and improving the whole child protection system.

“In December 2015, the then Prime Minister announced a £100 million investment to attract more high-calibre graduates into social work by expanding the successful Frontline and Step Up programmes.

“Also in December, we commissioned a fundamental review by Alan Wood of local safeguarding children boards and local strategic multi-agency working.”

Duncan Lewis Children Lawyers

Duncan Lewis children lawyers can advise on a wide range of family and childcare matters, including child sexual abuse within the family, domestic violence, controlling behaviour, FGM, forced marriage, honour crimes and international parent-child abduction.

Duncan Lewis also regularly advises on children taken into local authority care, including section 38 enquiries, pre-proceedings meetings, Court of Protection and SEND.

Our divorce specialists can also advise on all aspects of divorce and child care arrangements.

Duncan Lewis has considerable expertise in cross-border family matters and advises on family and child care law under the laws of England and Wales and Islamic law.

For expert legal advice on all family and child care matters, call Duncan Lewis children lawyers on 0333 772 0409.


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