THE government is failing young victims of sexual abuse through its “piecemeal” and “underwhelming” responses when issues are raised, a major children’s charity said today.

The NSPCC said there was “little sign of meaningful change” 12 months after the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). The inquiry looked at 15 areas, scrutinising institutional responses to child sexual abuse – including investigations into abuse in Westminster and the Anglican and Catholic churches.

Earlier this year, IICSA chairwoman Professor Alexis Jay and panel members highlighted “deep concern at the government’s inadequate response” to their recommendations and predicted that action may be deferred indefinitely “for the sake of other political priorities.”