Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said: “I have long called for a network of Child Houses based on the brilliant Lighthouse in Camden, where child victims of sexual abuse are given a voice and supported by professionals who understand their needs. I have urged Peers and Ministers alike to learn from this model of therapeutic support, and from similar examples I’ve seen abroad, so I’m delighted today’s announcement responds to my recommendations and brings us closer to meeting my ambition for these extremely vulnerable children.
“Child victims should never be forced to repeat their testimonies to different professionals, again and again. We have seen that happen far too many times, particularly in response to the victims of grooming gangs. Child Houses will bring services together in a way that offers victims proper therapeutic support and protects them from what many of them tell me is a bewildering and often re-traumatising criminal justice process. I will continue working closely with Ministers, pushing them to make these plans a reality quickly.”
