Today, Thursday 5 November 2026, the conviction of Russell Brand for rape and sexual assault marks a significant moment in a case that has attracted considerable public attention for years and raised important questions about sexual violence, the abuse of power, as well as the barriers survivors face when seeking justice.

The Church of England Redress Scheme is a national programme for people who have experienced abuse connected to the Church of England.

Shoaib Mohammed, 34, has been sentenced to 11 years imprisonment after pleading guilty to a series of sexual offences against a teenage girl.

Television often plays an important role in bringing difficult and often uncomfortable subjects into the public discussion. Two recent storylines in Hollyoaks and EastEnders have done exactly that, exploring the grooming of young girls by adults who have been placed in positions of trust and authority.

Advances in digital forensic technology are transforming the way sexual abuse cases are being investigated. These developments are enabling the police to uncover evidence, identify offenders and allow the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to proceed to criminal trial and secure justice for survivors in circumstances where this may previously have been far more difficult.

For many years, when we have spoken about child sexual exploitation and grooming, we have often talked about physical places. But technology is changing the way perpetrators can reach children, even at home.

This case highlights how the growing us of modern technology including artificial intelligence can pose real risks, especially in relation to child protection.

Recent reports of horrific abuse perpetrated by a Scout volunteer, Matt Ellett, in Somerset, have once again highlighted the devastating harm that can be inflicted on children by people entrusted with their care and protection. Ellett, 32 from Taunton, was found unanimously guilty and criminally convicted of 19 offences against five children following a trial in August 2026.