To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he expects that his proposed round- table meeting with groups representing survivors of childhood sexual abuse will take place; and when he expects that invitations to participate in that meeting will be issued.

As part of the Department’s engagement with victims’ groups, I will be holding round-table meetings this year on a variety of issues affecting victims of crime. Invitations for a forthcoming round-table will be sent to a wide range of victims’ groups in due course including, but not restricted to, groups representing survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

The National Group on Sexual Violence Against Children and Vulnerable People brought together its Strategic Stakeholder Group on 6 February 2014 to discuss progress in relation to its published action plan, the outcomes of recent National Group discussions and to identify actions for inclusion in the emerging strategic delivery plan.

Within the context of the National Group’s work, Essex County Council are organising a roundtable event this month to discuss best practice locally. The event will be attended by representatives from a range of local organisations providing support for victims of sexual violence, including child sexual exploitation. Invitations for this event have been sent.