The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) has today (Tuesday, March 1) published its final investigation report. A copy of the full report can be read by following this link: Residential Schools Investigation Report | IICSA Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse
Please see below a statement from BSA Group regarding the publication of the report:
“The Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) welcomes the publication of this report and we will be examining its findings in full. What is clear from the report is the terrifying and truly shocking behaviour of individuals who abused the trust of the young people under their care in the most sickening, vile and abhorrent way.
“The BSA continues to stand firmly with all survivors of any form of abuse and has the greatest respect and admiration for their courage in speaking out. This report would not have been possible without them, and we would encourage anyone who has experienced abuse in any form to contact the appropriate authorities immediately so it can be investigated fully.
“We wholeheartedly support the recommendation that ‘Schools need to accept that “it could happen here”, and in the case of harmful sexual behaviour between pupils that “it probably is happening here”.’
“We have a zero tolerance policy to all forms of abuse. In 2016, we developed a Commitment to Care Charter, which all our member schools must follow, placing the safety and wellbeing of all students at the forefront of everything they do. We also provide guidance and training to staff working in boarding schools, including on dealing with peer-on-peer situations and supporting survivors of abuse.
“There has been strong progress made in recent years to keep our young people safe. However, this report reminds us all just how vital it is that the education sector continues to strive to provide the highest standards of safeguarding, and offer the very best pastoral care for students from professionally trained staff.
“Once again, we would also repeat our call to the UK government and devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales to introduce the mandatory reporting of abuse, like in Northern Ireland and many other countries around the world, to improve safeguarding and child protection even further.”
– Robin Fletcher, CEO, BSA and BSA Group
Any members requiring advice or support following publication of the report can contact the BSA Team at bsa@boarding.org.uk.
We will also be running a related webinar, First thoughts on the IICSA investigation report into residential schools, which takes place on March 11, followed by a virtual conference, Themes and action points from the IICSA final research report into residential schools, running on April 28. Please follow the event links if you would like to book a place at either of these sessions.
Categories: Sector News
