By Steve Neavling
A Justice Department watchdog report released Thursday reveals that the FBI has not consistently reported child sexual abuse allegations to local authorities, despite reforms enacted after its handling of the Larry Nassar case.
The report, which scrutinized the FBI’s response to child sexual abuse claims in the wake of its failures in the Nassar investigation, found that systemic problems remain, potentially allowing cases to be neglected as agents face heavy workloads, the Associated Press reports. In one alarming instance, a victim endured abuse for 15 months after the FBI received a tip about a registered sex offender but failed to take timely action.
“This report makes clear that the FBI is simply not doing its job when it comes to protecting our children from the monsters among us who stalk them,” said John Manly, a lawyer who represents victims of Nassar. “Despite years of promises and numerous congressional hearings it’s now clear that the Larry Nassar scandal could happen again today.”
While the bureau has made mistakes in investigating crimes against children, a senior FBI official insisted that the “vast majority of work” has been handled appropriately.
“Ensuring the safety and security of children is not just a priority for the FBI; it is a solemn duty that we are committed to fulfilling with the highest standards. The FBI’s efforts combating crimes against children are among the most critical and demanding undertakings we do,” the FBI said in a statement.
The investigation comes in the wake of a damning 2021 report that revealed the FBI’s inaction allowed Nassar to continue abusing victims for months before his arrest in 2016. Despite the FBI implementing numerous reforms, the inspector general argues that further measures are necessary to safeguard children.
The inspector general’s review of more than 300 cases from 2021 to 2023 highlighted 42 instances that warranted “immediate attention” from the FBI due to a lack of recent investigative progress or other significant concerns, as detailed in the report.
