The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) has recently published an update report in connection with the seminars held in September 2017 to consider current approaches to the prevention of child sexual abuse in healthcare services. Although there is not a specific investigation focused upon sexual abuse of children within the healthcare sector, there have been a number of high profile cases involving medical and care professionals which might suggest that the healthcare sector may represent as much of a risk as any other sector involved in the care of children. Of course it is not just children who are at risk and although they are the focus of IICSA, other inquiries and reviews are also looking at abusive behaviour towards adults, most currently the Independent Inquiry into the issues raised by Paterson (the surgeon convicted of assaults arising from unnecessary breast tissue surgeries). Continue reading →