Established in 2015 as a core element of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), the Victim and Survivor Consultative Panel (VSCP) played a vital role in ensuring that the voices and experiences of victims and survivors were embedded at the heart of the Inquiry’s work.
Delivered in partnership with ARU and hosted by the International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute (IPPPRI), the Panel brought lived experience, expertise, and leadership into national conversations on child sexual abuse (CSA).
The VSCP was made up of six members, each with lived experience of CSA. Their insight, advocacy, and professional expertise – spanning child protection, health, education, and social care – shaped not only the Inquiry’s work but also contributed meaningfully to learning and practice across ARU. Several members have since been appointed as Visiting Fellows at ARU, enabling them to continue sharing their expertise and lived experience.
Although the VSCP has now concluded its formal role, the contributions of its members continue to influence strategy, research, and policy development across the University. Their work has strengthened ARU’s Safe and Inclusive Communities and Health and Wellbeing research themes, and their legacy will continue to inform future developments in these areas.
Throughout its operation, the Panel worked proactively across three key areas: Consultation and Collaboration; Knowledge Exchange; and Research and Practice Development. Their efforts have enriched ARU’s work and helped ensure that the perspectives of victims and survivors remain central to ongoing research and professional practice.
Examples of the Panel’s contributions include:
The VSCP’s work has left a lasting and meaningful legacy, strengthening understanding, improving practice, and ensuring that lived experience continues to shape the future of safeguarding and support.