New advisory panel to ensure survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation have a stronger voice in government decision-making
Adult victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) will have a stronger voice in government decision-making through a new advisory panel to be hosted by the Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales.
The Home Office has today (26 October) announced the creation of the Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Victim and Survivor Advisory Panel, which will bring together adults with lived experience from across England and Wales to provide advice, insight and recommendations directly to government.
The Panel will provide a structured and sustainable way for victims and survivors to inform policy development, challenge decision-makers and help improve support for others affected by these crimes.
It will be hosted within the independent Victims’ Commissioner’s Office and is expected to begin its work in Spring 2027 following a public and trauma-informed recruitment process.
For many years, victims and survivors have called for more meaningful opportunities to influence the decisions, policies and services that affect their lives. The new Panel is designed to help ensure their experiences and expertise are reflected more consistently in government policy and practice.
The Home Office will provide up to £1 million in ring-fenced funding between 2026 and 2029 to support the Panel’s work. This funding will help ensure participation is safe, sustainable and trauma-informed, including dedicated staffing, training, specialist support and remuneration for members’ time and expertise.
The Panel has been developed through extensive engagement with victims and survivors, specialist organisations, international partners and experts in trauma-informed practice.
It has been shaped in part by the NSPCC-facilitated interim Victim and Survivor Committee, whose members shared their perspectives, expertise and lived wisdom on how meaningful survivor engagement should work in practice, with appropriate support available to enable survivors to participate meaningfully and help drive long-term change.
The new Panel has a broad remit, covering all forms of child sexual abuse and exploitation. It will be open to adult victims and survivors from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, including those affected by grooming gangs. The Panel is separate from the temporary survivor group that was established to inform the setup of The Statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs.
Alongside the Panel, a wider network of survivor groups and specialist organisations will also contribute to its work, helping ensure a broad range of experiences and perspectives are reflected in discussions with government.
As an independent statutory officeholder focused solely on victims’ interests, the Victims’ Commissioner is well placed to host the Panel and ensure survivors’ voices are heard at the highest levels of government.
Victims’ Commissioner Claire Waxman said:
I am proud that my Office will host this Panel. I am committed to ensuring it is built on trust, transparency and proper support. My role will be to safeguard its independence and ensure we act with courage when victims and survivors tell us what needs to change.
If you are an adult survivor of child sexual abuse and exploitation and feel able to do so, I encourage you to consider applying. Your experiences and perspectives are crucial to driving lasting change and building a system that better understands, supports and responds to victims and survivors of these devastating crimes.
The Victims’ Commissioner’s Office will be responsible for recruiting Panel members, supporting their participation and enabling them to provide independent advice and challenge.
Recruitment will open shortly, with further details on eligibility, the application process and timings to be published on the Victims’ Commissioner’s website. The Panel is expected to begin its work in Spring 2027.
Further information
For more information about the Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Victim and Survivor Advisory Panel:
- Panel information and recruitment – visit the Victims’ Commissioner’s dedicated Panel page to learn more about the Panel’s role, membership and recruitment process.
- Government announcement – read the Home Office announcement establishing the Panel.
- Government guidance and FAQs – find further information about the Panel and how it will operate.