Requesting a review of non-recent child sexual abuse cases

Date published: 21 September 2023 08:27

Dated: 21 September 2023 09:00:00

The Child Sexual Abuse Review Panel (CSARP) is encouraging victims and survivors of child sexual abuse to come forward if they reported allegations of child sexual offences before 5 June 2013, and the police or the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided that no further action should be taken at the time.

CSARP is a joint programme between the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), established in June 2013, to reconsider cases that were not covered by the Victims’ Right to Review Scheme. CSARP aims to provide equal right to a review for victims and survivors of reported offences.

CSARP offers an option for victims and survivors of non-recent child sexual abuse, who aren’t happy with the decision made previously by police or the CPS and would like to challenge the decision. If you reported allegations of child sexual offences and it was marked no further action before 5 June 2013 and feel the decision to take no further action in your case was unjust, you can request the decision be reconsidered.

Two tone blue background with a white speech bubble in the centre, text in the speech bubble reads "There are no guarantees that your case will be turned around but it's a great opportunity to feel that someone has had a look at your case again"

What does the CSARP do?

The panel will consider the approach taken by the police or CPS and advise whether the allegations should be reinvestigated by the police, or the prosecution decision reviewed by the CPS. To do this, they will look at the information requested of and provided by the relevant police force or CPS area, to decide whether to advise that the original decision was correct or if further action should be taken.

If the decision is made to reinvestigate or review the case, it will be referred back to the police force or CPS area from where the case originated for them to decide on the action to be taken.

If the panel agrees with the original decision to take no further action, the victim or survivor will be informed by letter with specialist help and support provided or signposted. There is no appeal point beyond the panel.

Cases will be considered if:

The report is about an alleged sexual offence against the victim or survivor.
The victim or survivor is referring to a report previously made to the police about the sexual offence.
A decision to take no further action was taken by the police or by the CPS.
The alleged sexual offences was committed when the victim or survivor was under 18 years of age.
The alleged offender may still pose a risk.
The alleged offence was committed in England and Wales.
The case was investigated and marked no further action by police or CPS before 5 June 2013.

It is important to note that even if the victim or survivor has previously asked the police or the CPS to look at the decision they made previously, their case will still be considered.

Cases will not be considered if:

The victim or survivor hasn’t previously reported the matter to the police as this will therefore be a new complaint that the police will need to investigate.
New evidence has come to light prompting a fresh investigation by the police.
The case was investigated and marked no further action by police or CPS after 5 June 2013.

How to refer your case to the panel

Victims and survivors can direct their previous complaint to the relevant police force or CPS.

Any adult victim of child sexual abuse who believes they were denied justice previously can contact CSARP directly by email: nationalpanel@npcc.police.uk.

Find more information about CSARP on the CPS website.