How far reaching is the sexual exploitation of our young, vulnerable children across the UK?
On the 19th October 2018, a Judge lifted the reporting restrictions on a Police investigation termed, Operation Tendersea following a legal challenge by media groups.
This investigation of child sexual abuse was commenced by West Yorkshire Police in 2013, when a young woman accompanied by her mother, went to a police station to report she had been a victim of sexual abuse.
The Examiner newspaper reported in July 2017, that there were 29 Huddersfield men and 2 women who were charged with rape, neglect and sexual abuse on 18 children between the ages of 11 and 17 years old.
Further information was reported by the Examiner, that West Yorkshire Police had confirmed that those charged also face numerous other reported offences. They included, trafficking with intent to engage in sexual exploitation, sexual activity with a child, child abduction, supply of Class A drugs and possession and the making of indecent images of children.
Since the initial reports of the Rotherham abuse scandal that resulted in five men from the Asian community being convicted of similar offences in 2010, these cases are appearing more frequently in the media.
Conservative Councillors gathered together last week to vote for a written submission to be made to the Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, requesting for him to initiate a national inquiry on how abuse allegations have been investigated across England. The Councillors are asking that the Home Secretary initiates this inquiry to examine the “role of public bodies and statutory agencies charged with protecting children and apprehending and convicting criminals”.
A spokesperson for the Home Office stated: “The Home Secretary… has a commitment to tackle child sexual abuse in all its forms”.
It is key that these offences are investigated thoroughly, with the support and collaboration of many different agencies. However, surely it is time to put practices in place, reducing this form of abuse occurring in the future.
The team here at Ramsdens deal with all issues surrounding Child Care and Abuse Law. For a confidential discussion please contact 0113 887 1834. Alternatively, you can text LAW to 67777 or make an enquiry using the enquiry form and we will be in touch when it is convenient for you.