A survivor of abuse at Catholic schools in the West Midlands has expressed deep frustration over a lack of government action following a nationwide inquiry into child sexual abuse. Rafael Viola, 67, who moved from Glasgow to England in 1969, described ongoing trauma and the absence of support for victims like himself.

Mr. Viola provided a witness statement to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, led by Professor Alexis Jay, whose report was published in 2022. The inquiry, which cost around £200 million, issued 20 recommendations aimed at improving protections and support for survivors. However, Mr. Viola criticized the government for failing to implement these proposals, including the creation of an Independent Child Protection Authority, appointing a Cabinet minister dedicated to children's issues, and establishing a fully funded therapy guarantee for survivors.

“The inquiry cost £200 million. Nothing came out of the inquiry, nothing at all,” Mr. Viola said. He urged Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to take action, stating that survivors’ lives matter and calling on the government to demonstrate genuine commitment to addressing the issue.

In addition to his concerns about unmet recommendations, Mr. Viola voiced skepticism about a subsequent national inquiry into grooming gangs announced by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. The new inquiry, introduced following an audit by Baroness Louise Casey, was criticized by Mr. Viola as potentially duplicative and costly. He warned that the £60 million budget for this inquiry might escalate and that it risks repeating the failures of its predecessor, saying, “These inquiries are not fit for purpose.”

Sir Keir Starmer had initially indicated that the Jay inquiry sufficed but revised his stance after criticism suggesting it did not go far enough. Mr. Viola, who was a core participant in the earlier inquiry, described feeling silenced during the process and highlighted that survivors continue to receive no meaningful support.

A Home Office spokesperson responded by emphasizing the government’s commitment to tackling child sexual abuse and exploitation. The statement noted recent measures, including the introduction of mandatory reporting, classification of grooming as a statutory aggravating factor in sentencing, and a nationwide police review of closed cases aimed at bringing offenders to justice.

Despite these assurances, concerns remain among survivors like Mr. Viola that significant gaps persist in both recognition and response, underscoring ongoing challenges in addressing the legacy and reality of child sexual abuse in the UK.