IICSA Child Migration Programmes hearings – Samantha Leek QC and Cicely Hayward appear for the Department of Health

On 27 February 2017 the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse commenced its first public hearings, which relate to sexual abuse in the British child migration programmes. The Child Migration Programmes Case Study forms part of the Inquiry’s Protection of Children Outside the United Kingdom investigation.

Under the child migration programmes, which continued until the early 1970s, thousands of children were migrated by various institutions to countries across what was the British Empire.

The first part of the public hearing is scheduled to last for 2 weeks, during which the Inquiry will hear predominantly from former child migrants who allege they suffered sexual and physical abuse in the institutions and schools they were sent to.

The second part of the public hearing is due to commence in July when the Inquiry will hear evidence on behalf of institutions and others involved in the child migration programmes.

Samantha Leek QC and Cicely Hayward are instructed by the Department of Health which is acting as the umbrella department for all the central government departments that have had historical responsibility for or involvement with the child migration programmes.

More information about the hearings, including transcripts of the evidence and a link to the live streaming feed, can be found on the Inquiry’s website here

Reports of the hearings in the press includes the BBC and the Guardian

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Related barristers

Samantha Leek KC

Call 1993 | Silk 2012

Cicely Hayward

Call 2009

Related areas

Public Inquiries

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