Radio Documentary Reveals Systemic Failures in Handling Child Abuse Linked to Paedophile Information Exchange

BBC's 'In Dark Corners' explores decades of institutional cover-ups, PIE's influence, and ongoing risks to child safety.

The Paedophile Information Exchange (PIE), active from 1974 to 1984, openly campaigned to normalize adult-child sexual relationships and had members in influential professions, including education, social work, and clergy.
Investigative journalist Alex Renton uncovered a 1980s PIE membership list, revealing over 300 members, many of whom continued working in child-facing roles despite police possession of the list at the time.
The BBC's series highlights systemic failures across institutions like schools, the Church of England, and the BBC itself, where abusers were often enabled or protected by management prioritizing reputation over child safety.
Key recommendations from the 2022 Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) include mandatory reporting of abuse suspicions, a measure now being introduced by the UK government.
Renton emphasizes that despite past scandals, current safeguarding laws and social care systems remain inadequate, leaving children vulnerable to abuse today.