Parliament

In 2002 a Home Affairs Select Committee published its findings in relation to historical trawls of potential victims of child sexual abuse.

David Cameron MP sat on that Committee and signed up to its findings, which included:-

THE CONDUCT OF INVESTIGATIONS INTO PAST CASES OF ABUSE IN CHILDREN’S HOMES

60.  A number of victim support organisations have made the point that trawling provides an opportunity for victims to speak up if they feel ready to do so.[102] However, these organisations expressed a general concern over the level of support available to victims during and after a ‘trawl’.[103] The Government guidance on complex child abuse investigations recommends that “An unequivocal victim support strategy and protocol should be established at the outset” of the investigation to avoid any subsequent strain on counselling services.[104]

61.  We endorse the view that, where a trawl is conducted, complainants should be offered appropriate victim support services, such as counselling, from an early stage of their involvement in the investigation.