The Inquiry has published a research report on safeguarding procedures in the youth secure estate, focusing on child sexual abuse.
The research provides direct accounts from children and staff at young offender institutions, secure training centres and secure children’s homes across England and Wales.
The report provides evidence which supports the Inquiry’s investigation into the nature and extent of child sexual abuse in custodial institutions, as well as examining the response of the organisations.
Key findings include:
Children do not always feel safe or kept free from harm
Children are not well equipped to have healthy sexual relationships
Children and staff struggle knowing what constitutes abuse and inappropriate sexual behaviour
More work is needed to ensure staff are equipped to deal with safeguarding issues
This report was prepared at the request of the Inquiry’s Chair and Panel in order to better inform their conclusions and recommendations.
The Inquiry research team’s function is to examine what is already known about child sexual abuse and to fill any gaps in knowledge.