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| Inquiry into child sexual abuse 'not fit for purpose', claims victims' group | Inquiry into child sexual abuse 'not fit for purpose', claims victims' group |
| (7 months later) | |
| Survivors of Organised and Institutional Abuse becomes second group to withdraw, claiming victims have been ‘totally marginalised’ from process | |
| Press Association | |
| Tue 13 Jun 2017 17.44 BST | |
| Last modified on Tue 13 Jun 2017 17.48 BST | |
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| A victims’ group has said it is formally withdrawing from the national inquiry into child sexual abuse, claiming the investigation is “not fit for purpose”. | A victims’ group has said it is formally withdrawing from the national inquiry into child sexual abuse, claiming the investigation is “not fit for purpose”. |
| Survivors of Organised and Institutional Abuse (Soia) said it announced the decision with “deep regret” but felt the inquiry was not serving the needs of victims. | Survivors of Organised and Institutional Abuse (Soia) said it announced the decision with “deep regret” but felt the inquiry was not serving the needs of victims. |
| The group said survivors have been “totally marginalised” from the process, adding that the inquiry had descended into a “very costly academic report writing and literature review exercise”. | The group said survivors have been “totally marginalised” from the process, adding that the inquiry had descended into a “very costly academic report writing and literature review exercise”. |
| It comes after the Shirley Oaks Survivors Association (Sosa) – one of the largest victims’ groups involved – pulled out of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), describing it as a “stage-managed event” which has “lurched from crisis to crisis”. | It comes after the Shirley Oaks Survivors Association (Sosa) – one of the largest victims’ groups involved – pulled out of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), describing it as a “stage-managed event” which has “lurched from crisis to crisis”. |
| Soia, part of the national WhiteFlowers survivor and whistleblower campaign, said in a statement: “It is with deep regret that Soia announces its withdrawal from the inquiry. | Soia, part of the national WhiteFlowers survivor and whistleblower campaign, said in a statement: “It is with deep regret that Soia announces its withdrawal from the inquiry. |
| “We emphasise that each of us will continue to vigorously campaign outside of the IICSA, for the rights of survivors of organised and institutional abuse to justice and healing.” | “We emphasise that each of us will continue to vigorously campaign outside of the IICSA, for the rights of survivors of organised and institutional abuse to justice and healing.” |
| Soia, which had four core participants involved in the process, said it supported the concerns aired by Sosa in November. | Soia, which had four core participants involved in the process, said it supported the concerns aired by Sosa in November. |
| It added: “We wish to thank all those who have contributed time, effort and their own money to WhiteFlowers and Soia. | It added: “We wish to thank all those who have contributed time, effort and their own money to WhiteFlowers and Soia. |
| “However, we believe that, despite our efforts, IICSA remains not fit for purpose. | “However, we believe that, despite our efforts, IICSA remains not fit for purpose. |
| “Indeed it has descended into a very costly academic report writing and literature review exercise with survivors totally marginalised from effective participation in the research process.” | “Indeed it has descended into a very costly academic report writing and literature review exercise with survivors totally marginalised from effective participation in the research process.” |
| More than 200 victims and survivors are involved in the inquiry, which has been plagued by controversy since it was launched by Theresa May, then home secretary, in 2014. | More than 200 victims and survivors are involved in the inquiry, which has been plagued by controversy since it was launched by Theresa May, then home secretary, in 2014. |
| An IICSA spokeswoman said: “Whilst we regret the decision by Soia to withdraw from the inquiry, we would like to reassure all victims and survivors that the important work of the inquiry continues. | An IICSA spokeswoman said: “Whilst we regret the decision by Soia to withdraw from the inquiry, we would like to reassure all victims and survivors that the important work of the inquiry continues. |
| “The inquiry would welcome Soia or any of its individual members back should they decide to play a formal role in the inquiry again. | “The inquiry would welcome Soia or any of its individual members back should they decide to play a formal role in the inquiry again. |
| “We have taken on board a number of issues raised by Soia and other groups over the last few months. | “We have taken on board a number of issues raised by Soia and other groups over the last few months. |
| “We have done so wherever possible within the legal framework of a fair process and the provisions of the Inquiries Act 2005. | “We have done so wherever possible within the legal framework of a fair process and the provisions of the Inquiries Act 2005. |
| “Over 200 individual victims and survivors are core participants to the inquiry as well as a number of other survivor groups and institutions. | “Over 200 individual victims and survivors are core participants to the inquiry as well as a number of other survivor groups and institutions. |
| “Victims and survivors may also participate and contribute to the work of the inquiry through events including forums, research seminars and participation in the Truth Project.” | “Victims and survivors may also participate and contribute to the work of the inquiry through events including forums, research seminars and participation in the Truth Project.” |
| UK child abuse inquiry | |
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