Last updated by charlotte.lang@essex.gov.uk on Wednesday, March 13, 2024

The Home Office has announced plans to make mandatory reporting a legal requirement in England. Everyone involved in regulated activity relating to children in England, such as teachers and health professionals, will be legally required to report child sexual abuse (CSA). 

Under the proposals, those who fail to report CSA face being barred from working with young people and anyone who actively protects child sexual abusers could face a prison sentence. The new measures will be introduced as amendments at report stage of the Criminal Justice Bill in the House of Commons.