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Young Offenders: Offences against Children

Question for Ministry of Justice

UIN HL14176, tabled on 4 March 2019

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Sexual Abuse of Children in Custodial Institutions: 2009–2017, published on 28 February.

Answered on

18 March 2019

The findings in the Inquiry’s report are shocking. The safety and welfare of children across all aspects of the youth justice system is a priority for government. We are already conducting an urgent review into safeguarding in the youth custodial estate and we have commissioned an independent review of pain inducing restraint techniques. We are also rolling out new specialist training and a specific qualification for staff working in the secure estate as part of a wide programme of reform, but we recognise further action is needed. We will carefully consider all the report’s recommendations and respond in due course.