British Actress Samantha Morton Opened Up About Past Sexual Abuse /file photo/REUTERS/Stephen Hird
Samantha Morrton has accused various children homes with rampant child sexual abuse. Reuters/Stephen Hird

The United Kingdom has appointed a judge from New Zealand high court to head the inquiry into child abuse in the country. The inquiry panel had been dysfunctional for long because of the consecutive resignation of two heads.

Announcing the appointment of Justice Lowell Goddard, the U.K. home secretary Theresa May said the woman judge from New Zealand was chosen because, she has already conducted similar inquiry pertaining to police handling of child abuse in New Zealand. Also the judge is well aware of the scale of the “crucial inquiry” being vested with her, reports Guardian.

"The inquiry will be long, challenging and complex. The many, many survivors of child sexual abuse, committed over decades, deserve a robust and thorough investigation of the appalling crimes perpetrated on them. It is vitally important that their voices are now being heard,” May said.

Tracing Paedophiles

May said Justice Lowell Goddard was chosen from 150 candidates to head the inquiry, reports Stuff.Co.Nz. The terms of reference for the inquiry will include ascertaining whether public bodies had neglected or covered up allegations of child sex abuse after claims surfaced that paedophiles had been operating at various levels across the country.

The home secretary said the incidents reported from Rotherham, Oxford, Greater Manchester and elsewhere were only tip of the iceberg. Goddard is expected to arrive in Britain in mid-February and will face a confirmation hearing before the Commons home affairs committee. The home secretary reiterated that the UK Government is committed to “leading a robust and independent inquiry that will act on these matters without fear or favour and hold those responsible to account."

Statutory Powers

The BBC reports that inquiry panel will have statutory powers. This will empower Justice Goddard to compel witnesses to attend and give evidence, and force them to provide documentary evidence.

The child abuse inquiry was set up in July 2014. But two chairwomen resigned, citing their links with the establishment. May claimed that Justice Goddard will be neutral as she was as removed as possible from the organisations and institutions that might become the focus of the inquiry.

Justice Goddard, who was appointed to the New Zealand High Court in 1995, said she was committed to leading a robust and independent inquiry.

Appointment Welcomed

In the parliament, Goddard’s appointment as the third head of the troubled inquiry panel was welcomed by MPs. Peter Saunders, chief executive of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood also welcomed Justice Goddard’s appointment and hoped it would enhance the whole credibility of the inquiry.

The home secretary reassured MPs that the Official Secrets Act would not be a constraint for those giving evidence to the inquiry and all government departments would be asked to cooperate in ensuring the provision of secret information.

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