It noted that, while public awareness of the wider scandal had been predominantly within Catholicism, the research confirmed that clerical abuse was an institutional issue across most religious denominations. The authors of a related report on safeguarding measures said progress had been made through the development of policies for faith-based organisations, but some “notable challenges and inconsistencies” still remained. Attention will now switch to the prospect of a public inquiry, an option which will plainly need to be urgently considered by the Executive Office in the coming months. Similar previous exercises have not always delivered credible and comprehensive outcomes, but the victims and survivors have clearly indicated that this is the direction in which they want the authorities to go. In all the circumstances, there will be an expectation that a public inquiry, with firm and appropriate terms of reference, will be confirmed with the minimum of delay.