NORTH Yorkshire Police is taking part in a national child sexual abuse inquiry, providing evidence relating to a top independent school in North Yorkshire.

The force will provide evidence to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) during the public hearing strand relating to the Roman Catholic Church.

This started today and runs until December 15.

North Yorkshire Police’s particular involvement relates to Ampleforth College, near Helmsley. The hearing will also hear evidence from other organisations, institutions, and victims of sexual abuse.

The public hearings are predicted to last until 2019 and the outcome of the inquiry will not be published for several years.

However, the hearings will be broadcast live each day and a transcript published at the end of each day on the IICSA website.

The IICSA is a public inquiry into how seriously institutions and organisations in England and Wales have taken their responsibility to protect children.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "North Yorkshire Police is aware of how reports of this nature affect victims and their families. If you are affected by the content of the hearings, you can seek help from a number of organisations, but importantly we want you to feel comfortable in reporting abuse to the police.

"It does not matter when the abuse happened, whether it is happening now or if it happened many years ago. What is important is that you get the help and support you need, that wider safeguarding measures can be put in place and that any perpetrators are investigated and brought to justice. Your information may also help to protect other victims and help the police to build up a wider picture of someone’s offending.

"Even if your abuser has died, you may still need help to come to terms with what has happened to you. Your information could also lead to a wider investigation and still help protect others."

Over the years, legislation has changed and the police have changed how they investigate child sexual abuse.

The spokesman added: "There is more awareness and understanding of the devastating, life-changing affect it has on victims, and more support than ever before is available from specialist agencies.

"We appreciate that telling the police what has happened takes courage. It is not easy reliving such distressing situations. We understand this and have specially trained officers who will guide you through the process as well as signposting you to other agencies who can help you."

Phone police on 101 to report a sexual crime or 999 if in immediate danger.