Officials working on behalf of the Statutory Inquiry Into Child Sexual Abuse have confirmed that the Panel will be releasing progress reports as they begin their investigations into child abuse.

This news comes as an estimate of the duration of the Inquiry, suggested by a Home Office official to be in the region of 8 years depending on the number of victims and survivors who come forward, caused concern last week.

There is also talk that the Inquiry may also release interim recommendations, presumably to stem the suggestion that they are purposefully stalling the investigation and also, to ensure that a long-ranging Inquiry like this one offers calls for action which can be implemented sooner rather than later.

Despite talk that the Inquiry is intentionally trying to stall proceedings, Researching Reform does not agree. The Panel is clearly trying to ensure that there is a good working structure in place and that, contrary to Baroness Butler-Sloss’s recent criticisms of the Inquiry, every survivor who wishes to come forward, can do so.

The progress reports and recommendations are a step forward for the Inquiry into child abuse. Much of the problems they have faced to date have been due to the Panel’s inability to gauge the public’s desire to be kept informed and the pressing need to show what is happening behind the scenes. The Inquiry’s tone and frequency of engagement with the public, is now key.