Dear colleagues,  

I hope this finds you well and that you enjoyed a restful period over the new year.

We write today on behalf of Charlie Webster who, I’m sure many of you know, is a campaigner, broadcaster, victim-survivor, and strong advocator for victim-survivor rights.

Back in May, Charlie issued a letter to the Lord Chancellor during the Commons stages of the Victims and Prisoners Bill which many of us were able to sign and support. This letter was referenced numerous times during debate and rallied many of us in our joint ambition to improve this piece of legislation and ultimately, strengthen the criminal justice response for all victims and survivors. With the Lord’s stages fast approaching, we have another crucial opportunity to combine forces, support Charlie, and ensure victims’ and survivors’ voices are heard.

For reference, you can find a link to the initial report Sex abuse victims ‘must get specialist support’ – BBC News and the original open letter which can be read here Open Letter – Victims Bill – Charlie Webster – FINAL – Google Docs.

Alongside Charlie, we ask for your support again. Please consider the letter below and let us know if you would like your organisation to be named. If you would like to sign, please reply to [email protected] with your Chief Executive’s name (where possible) so that we can add it to the signatory section.    

We will close the sign-up window on January 12^th so please do let us know before then.

Thank you,  

On behalf of The Children’s Coalition  

NSPCC

Barnardo’s

The Children’s Society

Action for Children

National Children’s Bureau

National Youth Advocacy Service

Just for Kids Law

Ellie Pirrie (she/her) [email protected]
Senior Policy & Public Affairs Officer

Weston House, 42 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3NH
020 3961 7253 | nspcc.org.uk

Dear Lord Chancellor,

I wrote to you in May last year as the Victims and Prisoners Bill came to the House of Commons. I write to you now as the Bill moves through the House of Lords, where work is continuing to ensure the Bill can become an act that helps and supports all victims of crime for generations to come.

I was initially optimistic about the response to my letter because of how many MPs referenced it during debates and acknowledged the devastating impact that the justice system had on my friend Katie. Although some progress has been made, I and many others recognise that crucial opportunities are still being missed. The Bill still does not recognise the need for adequate support for children, those with no recourse to public funds, and those with bespoke individual needs. The current offer is basic, underfunded, and generic. We need sufficient multi-year funding allocated so that victims and survivors can access support when they need it, particularly specialist counselling and emotional support that helps survivors to work through trauma and rebuild their lives after sexual abuse.

As we approach the next stage of the Victims and Prisoners Bill, I am sadly reminded of another important date that cannot go unmarked. January 6th, 2024 was the one-year anniversary of that devastating day Katie’s mum received a knock on the door telling her that her daughter had died by suicide.

This is obviously a time of reflection for Katie’s family, her friends and me. I will always live with the pain inflicted upon us both and many other young girls, by our running coach, and the many other young girls he abused. I remember the bravery and strength of Katie as she gave testimony against him. I can still feel the imbalance of power as this courageous child endured the system to try and gain some sort of justice as well as trying to prevent the abuse of other children, so they would never know the pain and torment we suffered.

Whilst looking back to that time is hard, it is important, and it is what drives me to continue the work I do, like engaging with organisations that are trying to support children in the same position Katie and I were in, such as the NSPCC. During my time working with them recently, they shared a figure with me. From Home Office, data we know that from April – June 2023 (the period surrounding the first time I wrote to you) there were 16,220 children that reported child sexual abuse to the police. Sadly, that figure is not the full representation of all those who have experienced this horrific crime in that timeframe. So many more young people do not have adults in their lives who have been able to recognise the signs of abuse, report incidents, concerns or take action to support children and young people who are still living today, with this abuse. In December, the NSPCC shared that the average number of days between a defendant being charged in child sexual abuse cases in England and Wales and the criminal trial starting has risen by a staggering five months in the last five years.

“The NSPCC on behalf of the children’s coalition which consists of sector-leading voices including Barnardo’s, Action for Children, The Children’s Society, National Youth Advocacy Service, Just for Kids Law and National Children’s Bureau are working together to strengthen the Victims and Prisoners Bill to ensure that young victims and witnesses receive appropriate support following abuse and exploitation.

We support Charlie’s letter wholeheartedly, it shows the very real impact, devastating and long-lasting effect abuse has on children and their families. The Government have a crucial window to enshrine a commitment to improving things for child sexual abuse victims as they go through the courts. We hope that they will consider the impact on young people and move to make lasting change as the Victims and Prisoners Bill progresses” Sir Peter Wanless CEO NSPCC

“Rape Crisis for England and Wales (RCEW) wholeheartedly support Charlie’s powerful letter, rightly expressing concern that the Victims and Prisoners Bill could – and should – go further to support children and young people in the aftermath of sexual abuse.

Last year, over 20,000 children and young people accessed trauma-informed, holistic and wrap-around support from Rape Crisis member services, but so many more need – and should be able to access – these specialist services. It’s estimated that half a million children are subjected to sexual violence and abuse every year, but the services which provide vital specialist support have been chronically underfunded over many years. This must urgently change.

Even following the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse’s authoritative recommendation of a guarantee for specialist counselling for child rape and sexual abuse survivors, we have had no commitments from the current Government.

Now is the time for meaningful action, and for the needs of child victims and survivors to be heard, prioritised, and realised.” Ciara Bergman, CEO of Rape Crisis England & Wales

We need to get the Bill right, because every day that we don’t, and we continue to debate the level of support victims deserve, is another day more victims suffer, not only at the hands of an abuser but at the hands of a system that doesn’t see them. I dread to think what the figures for reported cases are today as I write to you a second time. When I think of those children who are in the middle of such a complex space as having experienced abuse and then needing to navigate the justice system, I think of the length of time they will have to wait for a court date. I think of the lack of specific support designed for them as young survivors, the poor understanding of the wider picture of crime against young people and the long term trauma it causes – as well as the non-existent accountability of those duty bound to ensure support is provided and delivered well.

This must stop. It can stop. In Katie’s name I ask you once again that we work collaboratively, to strengthen the Victims and Prisoners Bill, and put in place appropriate support to have a child-centred justice system that works for our children now and for future generations to come.

Do not just mention my letter, Kate’s name, or my name in public for optics but this time act.

To all those reading a copy of this letter, if you are a victim/survivor of sexual abuse and/or struggling with trauma, mental health; I know it’s painful, I know it hurts and I know it can feel very lonely, but I know, it can get better. You are not alone. I am with you.

Yours Respectfully,

Charlie Webster, Katie’s friend, Campaigner, Broadcaster and Journalist, Ministry of Justice Victim’s Panel Member, Women’s Aid and NSPCC ambassador, Rape Crisis supporter, Survivor.