Alexis Jay’s report on child sexual exploitation uncovers worryingly familiar insights into the systemic failings of public authorities whose job was to tackle and prevent the criminal abuse of children.

This report follows in the wake of inquiries in Oxford and Rochdale and the historical abuse perpetrated by Jimmy Savile and other celebrities.

The horror of these revelations comes in relentless waves. Just when it seems it can’t get any worse, it does.

We should remind ourselves that this is not new. There are documented records of child sex abuse from Byzantine society. But it is something that we have a shared responsibility to tackle across the public services.