Our Prescient Report on the Conditions That Led to Grooming Gangs

In light of the renewed interest in historic child abuse after the Government rejected calls to open a new inquiry in Oldham, it is well worth revisiting our 2017 report on the conditions that led to 'grooming gangs': 'Unprotected'.

Labour has formally rejected calls for a Home Office-led inquiry into historic child abuse in Oldham, following requests from the town's council.

The decision came after Oldham Council voted to write to the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper requesting a formal Public Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in the borough.

The Council had also voted to commission an independent inquiry should the Home Office refuse their request.

Our report, by FET's former Director, the late Norman Wells, outlined how authorities repeatedly failed to protect young girls from grooming and sexual abuse due to the idea that children under 16 can consent to sex. The report warned that the sexual exploitation of children in towns across the UK will continue unless the legal age of consent is recovered and health authorities are prevented from prescribing contraceptives to girls under 16 without the knowledge or consent of their parents.

The report is available to read here.