Fact Check: Baroness Louise Casey's review into group-based child sexual abuse began in January 2023 and was initially expected to take three months.

Fact Check: Baroness Louise Casey's Review into Group-Based Child Sexual Abuse

What We Know

Baroness Louise Casey was commissioned to lead a review into group-based child sexual abuse, which officially began in January 2023. The review was part of a broader initiative by the UK government to address the ongoing issues surrounding child sexual exploitation and abuse. Initially, this review was expected to take three months to complete (source-1).

The review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the scale, nature, and drivers of group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) in the UK. It is designed to evaluate existing data and evidence, identify gaps, and make recommendations for future action (source-2).

Analysis

The claim that Baroness Casey's review began in January 2023 and was initially expected to last three months is supported by multiple official sources. The Home Secretary announced the review as part of a £10 million action plan aimed at tackling grooming gangs and child sexual abuse (source-1). This plan aligns with the government's commitment to addressing the recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), which has highlighted significant gaps in data and response to these crimes (source-2).

The reliability of the sources is high, as they are official government publications and statements. The Home Office, which oversees such initiatives, is a credible entity, and the information provided is consistent across multiple announcements. Additionally, the urgency and importance of the review are underscored by the government's broader strategy to improve the response to child sexual exploitation and empower victims (source-1).

Conclusion

The claim that "Baroness Louise Casey's review into group-based child sexual abuse began in January 2023 and was initially expected to take three months" is True. The evidence from credible government sources confirms the timeline and objectives of the review, which is part of a significant effort to address child sexual exploitation in the UK.

Sources

1. Survivors of sexual abuse to be empowered in closed case reviews
2. National Audit on Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation
3. PM announces national inquiry into grooming gangs
4. Jess Phillips apologises for grooming gangs report delay
5. PM announces full inquiry into grooming gangs after resisting calls for action