FAQs

Victims and survivors are at the heart of this inquiry. They deserve answers. We have been engaging with them since the first day. We’ve met victims, survivors and organisations working with them throughout, and we will continue to do that throughout the Inquiry. Victims and survivors helped us to draw up our Terms of Reference and the Victims and Survivors Charter.

The Charter is our commitment to listening, involving and supporting victims and survivors throughout the Inquiry. It sets out how we will work together with victims and survivors, and the standards that people can expect when interacting with the Inquiry.

The Charter has been produced by working alongside victims and survivors and organisations that support them. The experiences and views of victims and survivors have ensured that the Charter recognises how important dignity, respect, choice, transparency and a trauma-informed approach is for victims and survivors.

If you have information to share with us, you can do so in a way that feels safe for you, with support available every step of the way.

We will listen throughout the Inquiry and create regular opportunities for victims and survivors to share their experiences and views. We will continue listening as our work develops and use what we hear to inform our work.

We will involve victims and survivors in the work of the Inquiry through:
– Meetings
– Online events
– Videos and podcasts
– Newsletters and email updates
– Website updates
– “You said, we did” feedback reports

No. Participation is entirely voluntary, and individuals can choose how and whether to engage at any stage.

We will provide support and help throughout the inquiry.

We understand why some victims and survivors are sceptical. There have been inquiries, reports, and recommendations before and many victims feel nothing has changed. We are not asking for them for trust the Inquiry on the basis of words alone, but on our actions. We will never stop working hard to earn their trust.

A public inquiry is an independent investigation set up by the Government when something has gone seriously wrong and the public needs answers. It is a fact‑finding process, not a criminal trial. Its purpose is to establish what happened, why it happened and what needs to change to prevent it happening again.

A public inquiry cannot impose criminal or civil penalties, but the evidence it gathers may be used by the police, prosecutors or regulators. Its recommendations may also influence future policy or law.

Yes. This is a statutory inquiry established under the Inquiries Act 2005. This means the Inquiry has legal powers to compel witnesses to give evidence and to require organisations to provide documents. Statutory inquiries can only be set up by a minister.

Yes. This is a statutory inquiry established under the Inquiries Act 2005. This means the Inquiry has legal powers to compel witnesses to give evidence and to require organisations to provide documents. Statutory inquiries can only be set up by a minister.

The Chair is responsible for delivering the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference. She sets the procedures for how the Inquiry will carry out its work and has a statutory duty to act fairly and independently.

The Chair is supported by legal counsel, solicitors and the Inquiry Secretariat. She will publish a final report with her findings and recommendations at the end of the Inquiry.

The Inquiry acts independently. The Chair does not report to any organisation being examined. At the end of the Inquiry, she will submit her final report to the Minister of State who established the Inquiry. The Inquiry is funded by its sponsor department.

The Inquiry was established in response to recommendation 2 of Baroness Louise Casey’s National Audit on Group‑based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, published in June 2025.

The final Terms of Reference, agreed with the Home Secretary, set out what the Inquiry will examine. These were published in March 2026.

The Inquiry formally began on 31 March 2026. The Chair has been asked to complete the Inquiry’s work within three years.

No. The Inquiry covers England and Wales.

Public hearings will be live streamed on the Inquiry’s YouTube channel with a short delay. After each hearing, a recording and transcript will be published on this website unless there are legal or safeguarding restrictions. Hearings are open to the public, and details will be published in advance.

The Inquiry considers it essential that its proceedings are conducted in public, and in as open and transparent a manner as possible.

Where appropriate, the Inquiry will publish hearing transcripts, witness statements and other relevant evidence. Some documents may not be published due to legal restrictions or to protect individuals’ privacy.

Redactions may be made to remove sensitive personal information, to comply with legal duties or to remove information outside the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference. This is explained in the Inquiry’s protocol on redaction and anonymity.

The Inquiry is not covered by the Freedom of Information Act 2000. However, it is committed to being as open and transparent as possible and will publish accessible information about its work on this website. When the Inquiry ends, its records will be moved to the National Archives.

The Inquiry encourages anyone with relevant information to come forward.
We will publish details of how to submit evidence securely and confidentially in due course. We will update the website when that process is open.

A Core Participant is an individual or organisation with a significant interest in the Inquiry’s work. They have specific rights, including receiving relevant disclosure and making opening or closing statements at hearings.

The Chair can designate Core Participants at any stage. The Inquiry’s Core Participant Protocol outlines the role of a Core Participant and how to apply to become one in the Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs.

This can be found on the documents page.

Yes. People who are not Core Participants can still take part as witnesses or provide information. Members of the public may also attend hearings. More details will be available in due course.

Witnesses are individuals or organisations with evidence relevant to the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference. They may be asked to provide written evidence, oral evidence, or both.

The Inquiry identifies witnesses through documents it receives, information provided by Core Participants and evidence submitted in response to Rule 9 Requests. Anyone with relevant information may come forward.

Most people take part voluntarily. However, under the Inquiries Act 2005, the Chair can compel a person to give evidence or provide documents if necessary.

The Inquiry will hear from a wide range of individuals and organisations. Witness lists will be published at least one week before each hearing.

Only counsel to the Inquiry, the Panel, and, with the Chair’s permission, the recognised legal representatives of Core Participants and witnesses may ask questions at hearings. This is set out in the Inquiries Act 2005 and the Inquiry Rules 2006.

There is no process for members of the public who are not Core Participants or witnesses to suggest questions, as the Rules are designed to ensure hearings are fair, orderly and focused on the evidence the Inquiry is required to examine.

Public hearings involve witnesses giving evidence under oath and being questioned by Inquiry counsel. The Inquiry may also hold thematic hearings to examine patterns of abuse or institutional failure in more depth. Hearings are live streamed and transcripts are published on this website.

Your safety and wellbeing matter to us. We will respond to any concerns with care, and sensitivity. In rare situations where someone may be at serious risk of harm, we may need to share information with others who can help. Wherever possible, this would be done with your knowledge and agreement, and with your safety in mind.

If you are a victim or survivor, or a concerned family member or friend, please visit our Support Services page for details of specialist organisations that can help you.