Shipley MP calls for implementation of national child exploitation review findings

Anna Dixon, the Member of Parliament for Shipley constituency, last night urged the new Labour government to take action where the Conservatives fell short by implementing the recommendations of the 2022 Jay Report on child sexual exploitation.  

During a debate in the House of Commons focused on child sexual exploitation and abuse, Ms Dixon expressed her unwavering support for all victims of these crimes and condemned the previous administration's inaction as “a disgrace.”  

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), chaired by Professor Alexis Jay, was established in 2015 and looked at 15 areas institutional responses to child sexual abuse, engaged with over 7000 victims, saw testimony from 725 witnesses across 325 days of public hearing and processed 2.5 million pages of evidence. 

The IICSA's final report, published in 2022, outlined 20 recommendations deemed essential for reducing child suffering and protecting children from exploitation. The proposals included setting up a national child protection authority, implementing tighter controls on who can work with vulnerable children and making not reporting abuse a criminal offence.  

However, the previous Conservative government made little progress in implementing the recommendations, with Professor Jay saying in 2023 that the Tory administration had “let down” victims with its slow response.  

Asking a question to Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, during yesterday's parliamentary debate, Anna Dixon MP for Shipley, said: “I associate myself with the Home Secretary’s remarks condemning those who perpetrate these horrific crimes. I stand with all victims of child sexual exploitation and sexual violence.  

“There was an independent review of child sexual exploitation in Bradford, which reported in 2021. A cross-party committee there has overseen the local changes, and I commend the actions of West Yorkshire police in locking up more than 20 perpetrators since 2021. 

“Does my right hon. Friend [the Home Secretary] agree that the failure of the previous Government to take action on the Jay report is a disgrace? What further actions by police and local authorities are needed to tackle these pernicious crimes?” 

In response, the Home Secretary said: “My hon. Friend has rightly referred to the work done by West Yorkshire police not only to look at public protection currently but to pursue historic investigations, which continue to be important because people often feel unable to come forward and tell their story about the abuse that has taken place until many years later.  

“When survivors are brave enough to come forward, it is incredibly important for their stories to be investigated fully and for operations like those run by West Yorkshire police into historic abuse to continue. We owe it to victims and survivors to make sure that change happens in practice, and that includes changing the law as part of the Policing and Crime Bill.” 

The Home Secretary confirmed during the debate that the government would make professionals who work with children will face criminal sanctions if they do not report child sexual abuse. She also stated that a “significant package of measures” will be announced by the government in the next few weeks aimed at tackling online child sexual exploitation. 

Following the debate Anna Dixon reiterated her call for urgent action to protect children from these heinous sexual crimes. She said: “We already know what needs to be done. We don’t need further local or national reviews. Now is the time for government, local authorities and police to act to do all they can to protect children and bring the perpetrators to justice.”