New panel to give child sexual abuse and exploitation survivors a voice

Adult victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) will have a stronger voice in shaping decisions that affect them, as the government sets up a new advisory panel of people with lived experience of these horrific crimes. 

Operated by the independent Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, the new CSAE Victim and Survivor Advisory Panel will provide a safe, supportive forum for victims and survivors to share their experiences, insights and recommendations directly with government – helping to bring better outcomes for all victims and survivors of these terrible crimes.

The government is investing up to £1 million over the next 3 years to fund the panel.

Satvir Kaur MP, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, said:

Victims and survivors know better than anyone what changes we need. Yet too many decisions are still being made for them, instead of with them.

This panel will ensure survivor’s voices are where they need to be: right at the heart of decision-making for tackling child sexual abuse and exploitation and supporting victims.

The panel delivers on a government commitment to ensure people’s real, lived experiences shape how it tackles CSAE. It was developed in partnership with victims and survivors and draws on evidence and expertise from the child sexual abuse sector and successful international examples. 

The Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Claire Waxman OBE said: 

Victims and survivors have been clear that they want to be listened to, not spoken for. This independent panel is an opportunity to do things differently, moving beyond tokenistic engagement to give survivors a meaningful role in shaping the policies, practices and services that affect them.