Professor Alexis Jay, Chair of IICSA (the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse in England) recommended that a new criminal offence should be created for people working in positions of trust who failed to report allegations of child sexual abuse.  Now the UK Government has unveiled an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill that she has described as "a fudge and an opportunity missed”.

Under the new law, those who fail to comply with the “duty to report” will be liable for sanctions from their professional regulator or the Disclosure and Barring Service. It will only be if someone deliberately tries to stop a report of child sexual abuse that criminal sanctions will apply, which could lead to up to seven years in prison.

The Guardian reports that the Home Office contested the campaigners’ interpretation of the legislation, saying that the measures would create a legal requirement for those taking part in regulated activities to report if they witness child sexual abuse or a child discloses sexual abuse.

“We are also creating a new criminal offence which will apply where anyone deliberately tries to stop a report of child sexual abuse being made under the mandatory reporting duty,” a spokesperson said. “Anyone, including those who are not engaged in regulated professions, found guilty of this offence could face up to seven years’ imprisonment.”