Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Northbourne (Crossbench). It was answered on Wednesday, 25 November 2009.

Independent Safeguarding Authority

Question: My Lords, I am most grateful to the noble Lord for that helpful Answer. Is he aware that in the year ending March of this year, the main complaint and problem of the 17,406 children who telephoned ChildLine was physical abuse in the home and that a significant part of this was by people who were not their parents? Is he further aware that it is extremely likely that a child living with the natural mother but with a stepfather—especially if the stepfather is not married to the mother—is liable to be exposed to sexual and physical abuse? Do we not owe these children a duty of protection when their parents are unable or unwilling to protect them?

Answer: My Lords, the noble Lord raises a very important issue. When I asked whether we have clear statistics which show whether abuse is by a stepparent or by a natural parent, I discovered that we do not have a breakdown of those figures; perhaps we should start collecting them. He is right about the large numbers, some of which are real, some of which are not. However, the Independent Safeguarding Authority, which the Question is about, is looking specifically at those seeking to work with, or volunteering to work with, at-risk adults and children. A child sexual offender review disclosure pilot is looking into the areas raised by the noble Lord.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 715 c359-60
Session: 2009-10
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Children Abuse Cohabitation Protection Step-families Vetting Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk