IICSA was a statutory inquiry for England and Wales, established in 2015 under the Inquiries Act 2005. Its independence meant that the Inquiry was not part of any government department.
The Inquiry’s remit was wide-ranging, but as a statutory inquiry it had the unique authority to compel witnesses and request any material necessary to investigate where institutions failed to protect children in their care.
In identifying what must be done differently, it built the case for change and improvements in how institutions must protect children.
Through investigations and public hearings they examined what went wrong, and why, across a wide range of institutions. The evidence gathered through 15 investigations informed findings and recommendations to help prevent these failures happening in future.
An ambitious research and analysis programme filled gaps in knowledge about child sexual abuse and ensured recommendations were informed by the latest learning.
The Truth Project gave victims and survivors the opportunity to share their experiences and put forward suggestions for change. Their experiences provided a vital contribution to the Inquiry, helping to build a clearer picture of the extent of child sexual abuse and a better understanding of its long term impact on victims and survivors.