The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse has today announced that following the suspension of the Child Protection in Religious Organisations and Settings public hearing due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it hopes to resume the hearing via video conference at 10.30 am on 11 May 2020.
Announcing her decision, the Chair of Inquiry, Prof Alexis Jay OBE said:
“The unprecedented impact of the pandemic and consequent national emergency has affected everyone in ways we could not have imagined. We made the difficult decision to suspend our public hearing but have been exploring ways that we can resume in a virtual setting.
“The Inquiry is working hard to rearrange future public hearings in all our investigations, bearing in mind the difficulties that the current situation presents for all those involved. My thanks to Inquiry staff, core participants and their legal teams for working flexibly with us to ensure that these vital hearings will continue.”
The public hearing into Child Sexual Exploitation in Organised Networks, which was due to be held on 20 April, has been postponed. The Inquiry is working with core participants so that it can reschedule this hearing in September.
More information will be provided in due course.
