The government has been investigating child abuse within the UK’s strictly Orthodox communities as part of a wider Home Office report into group-based offending, aimed at safeguarding vulnerable children.

The JC can reveal that a study into the “scale and nature” of abuse within the Charedi community, which was commissioned by former Home Secretary Sajid Javid, was completed towards the end of last year.

Sources said that the findings of the investigation into Charedi abuse are likely to be included within a wider report into group-based child sexual exploitation to be published later this year.

The Home Office had originally refused to publish that report but two weeks ago the current Home Secretary, Priti Patel, said it would be made public.

Ms Patel said the wider report will look into “the characteristics of offenders, victims and the context in which these crimes are committed.” 

She said she was “determined to deliver justice” for victims of child abuse.

Ahead of the release of the Home Office report, an external reference group of experts will be set up to review the research.

The JC understands that the exact format of the document has yet to be decided.

Writing for the JC this week, Simon Myerson QC calls for the establishment of an independent communal body “to monitor and educate organisations and communities” on the prevention and reporting of child abuse.

Meanwhile, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse last month heard evidence about child protection in religious organisations and settings, including in the Jewish community. 

A number of Jewish groups, including Migdal Emunah, a communal victim-support organisation, gave evidence.

Rebecca Fetterman, director of youth for Liberal Judaism, supported a registration system for religious groups “organised by a governmental body”. But there is resistance to the idea of external scrutiny from organisations primarily dealing with the Charedi community.