Parliament must lead on tackling child sex abuse

Child sexual abuse is the public health issue of our time. There have been many high profile cases of child sexual exploitation over the last few years. But it is vital that Parliament’s actions must be driven by the science, not the media. The Government has to get a serious, strategic grip on how we can combat and build out sexual abuse. This is about sparing the next generation of children, not about celebrities, the BBC, racial stereotyping or even politicians. Parliament is not here to commentate on headlines, instead it must partner Government to make the overarching legal and cultural framework to ensure there is less sexual abuse in our society.

Creating a National Institute for the Study and Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse is the most important contribution this Parliament can make. A “What Works” institution will pull together the best practise and strongest evidence on prevention and reduction of sexual abuse.

This is not the first time I have spoken in the house on this issue. After a horrendous sexual abuse came to light in my constituency, I first raised the creation of a National Institute for the study and prevention of Child Sexual Abuse 26 years ago to then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and more repeatedly since. Now after years of Government being reactive and inactive, I am extremely pleased to welcome and encourage good signs of progress.

The Government has promised a National Institute “will support areas that are struggling to get it right”. Poor practice of multi-agency working, information sharing and risk assessment have led to the major failures which while highlighted in Rotherham, Greater Manchester are evident everywhere. It is vital that a National Institute becomes a hub for evidence and best practice, so that all agencies can invest wisely and steadily in prevention.

A new National Institute must be a Centre of Expertise to identify and share high quality evidence on what works to tackle child sexual abuse. It should never deal with an individual case or initiate enquiries or inquiries on scandals and celebrities.

We can no longer pretend that Child Sexual Abuse has not happened in all corners of the UK. The Government has promised a National Institute “will support areas that are struggling to get it right”. Poor practice of multi-agency working, information sharing and risk assessment have led to the major failures which while highlighted in Rotherham, Greater Manchester are evident everywhere. It is vital that a National Institute becomes a hub for evidence and best practice, so that all agencies can invest wisely and steadily in prevention.

Of course firefighting will always be necessary. There is a plethora of public inquiries and criminal proceedings which must be pursued with rigor and vigour.  These inquiries are vital for the victims of these awful crimes. But Government is beginning to understand that it must think about the future, setting out a long-term plan, crucially on an all-party basis, so that I don’t have to haunt debates in Parliament in 20 years’ time!