Simpson Millar Welcomes Grooming Gangs Inquiry but Calls for Concrete Action on Redress and Victim Support

Ensuring Survivors’ Voices Are Heard

Liam Goggin, Head of Abuse Claims at Simpson Millar, said: “We welcome the Prime Minister’s decision to establish a full statutory inquiry. This will be vital in ensuring that the voices of those affected by grooming gangs are finally heard.

“However, it is essential that this is not another exercise in simply gathering evidence and producing recommendations that are quietly shelved. The Government must not repeat the mistakes made following the IICSA inquiry, where many important recommendations have still not been acted upon.

“If we are to ask victims and survivors to go through this process again, they need absolute clarity that their bravery will lead to real, tangible change. Otherwise, what is the point?”

Urgent Need to Revive Abandoned Reforms

Simpson Millar is also calling on the Government to urgently revisit several key reforms that were raised during IICSA but left unaddressed — including:

• The establishment of a national redress scheme for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.
• A requirement for all professionals working with children to be part of a governing body and held to account for their conduct.
• Reform of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, which currently bars survivors with unspent convictions from receiving compensation – even where those convictions may be linked to the trauma they suffered.

Support Must Be Central to the Government’s Response

Liam added: “It would be unacceptable for millions of pounds to be spent on a national inquiry without any meaningful consideration for how those affected are supported in the aftermath.

“Therapies, mental health support, access to redress – these must be baked into the Government’s response from the very beginning.

“We also need to see long-overdue reform of the criminal injuries scheme, which currently punishes survivors for behaviour that is often rooted in the abuse they experienced. That is not justice.”

A Commitment to Lasting Change

The firm says it will now study Baroness Casey’s report carefully and continue to work with clients, survivor groups and policymakers to push for the changes needed to ensure this inquiry results in lasting change – not just headlines.