A taskforce has helped arrest hundreds of offenders since 2023. We believe abuse is large scale and ongoing. Yet we think the authorities refuse to acknowledge the background and motivation of abusers, the failures of police, social workers and local councillors, and potential cover-ups.
In August 2014, a ground breaking report by former senior social worker Alexis Jay revealed that an estimated 1,400 children had been sexually exploited in Rotherham from 1997 to 2013, and the majority of known perpetrators were of Pakistani heritage. It revealed the failures of leadership and staff fears of being considered racist in identifying the ethnic origins of perpetrators. We think only a full public inquiry can force overdue change.
Government response
Alexis Jay went on to conduct a 7-year national inquiry on child sexual abuse. Our priority now is to act on her findings and deliver justice for grooming victims, not order another national inquiry.