Two abuse survivors resign from grooming gang panel

Two survivors of child sexual abuse have resigned from the panel overseeing the national grooming gang inquiry, citing concerns over the panel's independence and a lack of transparency. Fiona Goddard and Ellie-Ann Reynolds, both victims of grooming gang abuse, announced their resignation from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) panel. They expressed disappointment with the inquiry's progress and its failure to fully address the concerns of survivors. The resignations highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the inquiry, which was established in 2014 to investigate the institutional failures that allowed widespread child sexual exploitation to occur. The panel's independence and the inclusion of survivor voices have been a point of contention, with the resignations raising questions about the inquiry's ability to effectively address the complex issues surrounding grooming gang abuse. The article emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the inquiry is transparent, independent, and responsive to the needs of survivors as it continues its investigation into this critical issue.