Bharatpedia - User contributions [en]

Talk:Abhijeet Dipke

2026-07-27T06:03:28Z

WikiDwarf: /* Proposal */ Reply

== Proposal ==

I propose expanding the lead to include Abhijeet Dipke's previous association with the [[Aam Aadmi Party]] (AAP), rather than limiting the lead to his role as founder of the Cockroach Janta Party.

The article body already contains sourced information that Dipke was a volunteer with AAP's social media team from 2020 to 2023 before leaving to pursue higher studies abroad.

'''Suggested wording:'''

{{Green|'''Abhijeet Dipke''' (born 29 September 1995) is an Indian political communication strategist and the founder of the [[Cockroach Janta Party]] (CJP), a satirical political movement that started in May 2026 after remarks made by [[Chief Justice of India]] [[Surya Kant]]. He previously served as a volunteer with the [[Aam Aadmi Party]] (AAP)'s social media team from 2020 to 2023 before leaving to pursue higher studies abroad.}}

Comments are welcome. [[User:Bharatwiki_Socrates|<span style="font-weight:bold;color:#1f618d;text-shadow:1px 1px 2px #3498db;">🍁Bharatwiki Socrates🍁</span>]][[User talk:Bharatwiki_Socrates|<span style="color:#FF9933;font-weight:bold;text-shadow:1px 2px #1f618d;">(📩)</span>]] 11:30, 27 July 2026 (IST)

:@[[User:Bharatwiki Socrates|Bharatwiki Socrates]] : I agree. [[User:WikiDwarf|WikiDwarf]] ([[User talk:WikiDwarf|talk]]) 11:33, 27 July 2026 (IST)

User:WikiDwarf/sandbox

2026-07-27T05:39:17Z

WikiDwarf:

[[File:Shore Front, Stranraer - geograph.org.uk - 4161118.jpg|thumb|Riu a Sant Hilari Sacalm]]

User:WikiDwarf/sandbox

2026-07-22T19:19:03Z

WikiDwarf: Created page with "Riu a Sant Hilari Sacalm"

[[File:Riu a Sant Hilari Sacalm.jpeg|thumb|Riu a Sant Hilari Sacalm]]

Vikram-1

2026-07-19T06:06:40Z

WikiDwarf: Cleanup

{{Short description|Indian small-lift launch vehicle developed by Skyroot Aerospace}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}}
{{Infobox Rocket
| name = Vikram-1
| image = Skyroot’s Vikram-I on the Launch Pad at SDSC SHAR.webp
| caption = Vikram-I on the First Launch Pad at SDSC SHAR
| function = [[Small-lift launch vehicle]]
| manufacturer = [[Skyroot Aerospace]]
| country-origin = India
| cpl =
| height = {{cvt|24|m}}
| diameter =
| mass =
| stages = 4
| capacities =
{{infobox rocket/Payload
| location = [[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] (500 km @ 45° inclination)
| mass = I:{{cvt|350|kg}}<br/>IU:{{cvt|550|kg}}
}}
{{Infobox rocket/Payload
| location = [[Polar orbit|SSPO]] (500 km)
| mass = {{cvt|260|kg}}
}}
| status = Active
| sites = {{ubil
| [[Satish Dhawan Space Centre]]
| [[SSLV Launch Complex]]
}}
| launches = 1
| success = 1
| fail =
| partial =
| first =
| last =
| payloads =
| stagedata =
{{Infobox rocket/stage
| type = stage
| stageno = First
| engines = Kalam 1200
| length =
| diameter =
| solid = yes
| thrust = {{cvt|1000|kN}}
| burntime =
| SI =
| fuel = Solid
| empty =
| gross =
| propmass =
}}
{{Infobox rocket/stage
| type = stage
| stageno = Second
| length =
| diameter =
| engines = Kalam 250
| thrust = {{cvt|250|kN}}
| SI =
| burntime =
| fuel = Solid
| empty =
| gross =
| propmass =
}}
{{Infobox rocket/stage
| type = stage
| stageno = Third
| length =
| diameter =
| engines = Kalam 100
| solid = yes
| thrust = {{cvt|100|kN}}
| SI =
| burntime =
| fuel = Solid
| empty =
| gross =
| propmass =
}}
{{Infobox rocket/stage
| type = stage
| stageno = Fourth
| length =
| diameter =
| engines = 4 x [[Raman (rocket engine)|Raman-I]]
| thrust = {{cvt|3.4|kN}}
| SI =
| burntime =
| fuel = [[N2O4]]/[[Monomethylhydrazine|MMH]]
| empty =
| gross =
| propmass =
}}
| comparable = {{flatlist|
* [[Agnibaan]]
* [[Firefly Alpha|Alpha]]
* [[Rocket Lab Electron|Electron]]
* [[Small Satellite Launch Vehicle|SSLV]]}}
}}

'''Vikram-1''' ([[Sanskrit]], {{literally|Brave}}; [[Namesake]]: [[Vikram Sarabhai]], also referred to as '''Vikram-I''') is a four-stage [[Expendable launch system|expendable]] [[small-lift launch vehicle]] developed by [[Skyroot Aerospace]]. The vehicle employs [[Solid-propellant rocket|solid propulsion]] for its first three stages, while its final stage is powered by a [[Liquid-propellant rocket|liquid engine]]. Its maiden mission, designated '''Aagaman''', was launched on 18 July 2026 and successfully completed its flight objectives.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=2026-07-18 |title=Skyroot Aerospace reaches orbit on first Vikram-1 launch |url=https://spacenews.com/skyroot-aerospace-reaches-orbit-on-first-vikram-1-launch/ |access-date=2026-07-18 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Development ==
[[File:Vikram-1.svg|thumb|left|Schematic representation of Vikram-I]]

[[Skyroot Aerospace]] officially introduced the Vikram-1 launch vehicle in October 2023 during an event held at its MAX-Q headquarters in [[Hyderabad]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thathoo |first=Chetan |date=2023-10-24 |title=Shooting For The Stars: Skyroot Unveils Orbital Rocket Vikram-I At Its New HQ In Hyderabad |url=https://inc42.com/buzz/shooting-for-the-moon-skyroot-unveils-orbital-rocket-vikram-i-at-its-new-hq-in-hyderabad/ |access-date=2026-05-24 |website=Inc42 Media |language=en}}</ref> According to the company, the rocket was designed to address the increasing demand for launches within the global [[small satellite]] market.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Skyroot {{!}} On-Demand Space Launch Vehicles |url=https://www.skyroot.in/ |access-date=2026-07-18 |website=www.skyroot.in |language=en}}</ref>

Development of Vikram-1 followed the successful flight of the [[Vikram-S]] suborbital demonstrator in November 2022. That mission made Skyroot the first privately owned Indian company to launch a rocket from facilities operated by [[ISRO]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=India successfully launches Vikram-S, first privately made rocket |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/18/india-successfully-launches-vikram-s-first-privately-made-rocket |access-date=2026-05-24 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref>

In May 2022, the company carried out a full-duration static firing test of the Kalam-100 solid rocket stage, one of the propulsion elements intended for Vikram-1.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alamalhodaei |first=Aria |date=2022-05-20 |title=Skyroot successfully completes full-duration stage test |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/05/20/indian-launch-startup-skyroot-successfully-completes-full-duration-stage-test/ |access-date=2026-05-24 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref> Further qualification activities, including avionics validation and stage separation testing, were conducted during 2024 and 2025.<ref name=":0" />

In November 2025, Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] unveiled the flight-ready version of Vikram-1 while inaugurating Skyroot's Infinity Campus in Hyderabad.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PM Modi to inaugurate Skyroot's Infinity Campus, unveil Vikram-I Orbital Rocket today |url=https://ddnews.gov.in/en/pm-to-inaugurate-skyroots-infinity-campus-unveil-vikram-i-orbital-rocket-on-november-27/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251208154942/https://ddnews.gov.in/en/pm-to-inaugurate-skyroots-infinity-campus-unveil-vikram-i-orbital-rocket-on-november-27/ |archive-date=2025-12-08 |access-date=2026-05-24 |website=ddnews.gov.in |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Design ==
Vikram-1 is a four-stage orbital launch vehicle measuring about 20 metres in height and 1.7 metres in diameter.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-04-26 |title=Skyroot readies Vikram-1 for India's first private orbital launch - Manufacturing Today India |url=https://www.manufacturingtodayindia.com/skyroot-readies-vikram-1-for-indias-first-private-orbital-launch |access-date=2026-05-24 |language=en-US}}</ref> Solid propulsion is used for the first three stages, whereas the upper kick stage is powered by a liquid propulsion system that performs orbital insertion and subsequent orbital adjustment manoeuvres.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=India's Skyroot launches Vikram-1 in first private orbital rocket mission |url=https://www.reuters.com/science/indias-skyroot-launches-vikram-1-first-private-orbital-rocket-mission-2026-07-18/}}</ref>

The vehicle is finished with a blue first stage, while the remaining three stages are painted white.<ref name=":0">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lLd1cI7v0U |title=Vikram-1 {{!}} Test Flight-1 {{!}} Skyroot {{!}} Mission Aagaman{{!}} India's First Private Orbital Rocket Launch |date=2026-07-16 |last=Skyroot Aerospace |access-date=2026-07-18 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

Its structure makes extensive use of [[Carbon-fiber reinforced polymer|carbon-composite]] airframes to reduce overall weight. According to Skyroot, the rocket also incorporates [[3D printing|3D-printed]] liquid engines together with a modular avionics architecture.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Skyroot Aerospace and Dhawan-II's More Powerful 3D-Printed Cryogenic Engine |url=https://www.cryogenicsociety.org/index.php?option=com_dailyplanetblog&view=entry&category=industry-news&id=178:skyroot-aerospace-and-dhawan-ii-s-more-powerful-3d-printed-cryogenic-engine |access-date=2026-05-24 |website=www.cryogenicsociety.org}}</ref>

The Kalam 250 stage is equipped with [[Thrust vectoring|thrust vector control]] to steer the vehicle during flight, while the upper stage employs [[Reaction control system|reaction control system (RCS)]] thrusters to maintain and adjust its attitude.<ref name=":0" />

Skyroot describes Vikram-1 as a responsive launch vehicle intended for rapid integration and launch, with relatively low ground infrastructure requirements.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MSN |url=https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/insight/skyroot-aerospace-nears-maiden-orbital-rocket-launch-milestone/gm-GMCAD8DC86?gemSnapshotKey=GMCAD8DC86-snapshot-3&uxmode=ruby |access-date=2026-05-24 |website=www.msn.com}}</ref> The launcher is designed to support both dedicated payload missions and rideshare launches.<ref name=":3" />

== Launch history ==
The inaugural mission of Vikram-1, named '''Aagaman''' ([[Sanskrit]], 'Arrival'), was launched on 18 July 2026. During the flight, the vehicle successfully deployed several miniaturized satellites into low Earth orbit, marking the first successful orbital launch by the rocket.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2026-07-17 |title='The dawn of a new space era': Vikram-1, India's 1st private orbital rocket, aces debut launch |url=https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/skyroot-aerospace-india-first-private-orbital-launch-vikram-1 |access-date=2026-07-18 |website=Space |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-05-11 |title=With Skyroot at the head of the class, India's private space industry seeks to take off |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/05/with-skyroot-at-the-head-of-the-class-indias-private-space-industry-seeks-to-take-off/ |access-date=2026-05-20 |website=Ars Technica |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/skyroot-vikram-1-mission-aagaman-indias-1st-private-rocket-lifts-off-for-historic-mission-from-sriharikota-11787468
|title=Hello Space, Vikram-1 Has Arrived: Skyroot Scripts India's Historic Rocket Mission|date=2026-07-18|access-date=2026-07-18|website=NDTV|language=en}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width: 100%;"
|-
! scope="col" | Date / time ([[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]])
! scope="col" | Flight
! scope="col" | Rocket<br />(Configuration)
! scope="col" | Launch site
! scope="col" | Payload
! scope="col" | Orbit
! scope="col" | Status
|-
| rowspan="2" |18 July 2026<br/>06:35:30
| Aagaman
| Vikram-1
| [[Satish Dhawan Space Centre|Satish Dhawan]] FLP
|{{plainlist|
*{{flagicon|India}} SCOPE
*{{flagicon|India}} SOLARAS S3
}}
| [[Low Earth orbit|LEO]]
| {{Success}}
|-
| colspan="7" |The maiden flight of Vikram-1 also carried Cosmoserve Space's robotic arm '''Embrace''' and hosted an in-orbit technology demonstration by the [[Germany|German]] company DCUBED on the vehicle's upper stage. The mission successfully achieved orbit on the rocket's first launch attempt.<ref name=":1" />
|-
| rowspan="2" |Q1 2027
| TBA
| Vikram-1U
| [[Satish Dhawan Space Centre|Satish Dhawan]]
| {{flagicon|India}} TBA
| [[Low Earth orbit|LEO]]
| {{Planned}}
|-
| colspan="7" |The first flight of the Vikram-1U configuration, an upgraded version of Vikram-1 equipped with additional solid rocket boosters, is planned for the first quarter of 2027.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=2026-07-08 |title=Skyroot prepares for first orbital launch attempt |url=https://spacenews.com/skyroot-prepares-for-first-orbital-launch-attempt/ |access-date=2026-07-17 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|}

== See also ==
* [[Vikram-2]]
* [[Small Satellite Launch Vehicle|SSLV]]
* [[Agnibaan]]
* [[Space industry of India]]
* [[List of Vikram launches]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://skyroot.in/}}

{{Expendable launch systems}}
{{Indian space programme}}

[[Category:Expendable space launch systems]]
[[Category:Vehicles introduced in 2026]]
[[Category:Indian inventions]]

Viraj Jan Party

2026-07-18T15:50:55Z

WikiDwarf: WikiDwarf moved page Draft:Viraj Jan Party (VRJP) to Draft:Viraj Jan Party without leaving a redirect: Disambiguation not required

{{Infobox political party
| name = Viraj Jan Party
| native_name = विराज जन पार्टी
| abbreviation = VJP
| founder = Prashant Kumar Saini
| leader = Prashant Kumar Saini
| headquarters = [[Rajasthan]], India
| country = India
| state = [[Rajasthan]]
}}

The '''Viraj Jan Party''' ('''VJP''') is an Indian political party based in the state of [[Rajasthan]].<ref name="ECI_Registration">{{cite web |url=https://hindi.eci.gov.in/files/file/11889-new-parties-seeking-registration-dated-26122022/?do=download |title=New Parties Seeking Registration |publisher=Election Commission of India |date=26 December 2022 |access-date=18 July 2026}}</ref><ref name="Bhaskar_Revolution">{{cite news |url=https://bhaskardigital.com/viraj-jan-party-the-new-voice-of-administrative-revolution-in-politics/ |title=Viraj Jan Party: The new voice of administrative revolution in politics |work=Bhaskar Digital |access-date=18 July 2026}}</ref> The party is led by politician Prashant Kumar Saini and has conducted various rallies, membership campaigns, and public outreach programmes across Rajasthan.<ref name="Jagran_Arena">{{cite news |url=https://english.dainikjagranmpcg.com/politics/viraj-jan-party-all-set-to-enter-the-political-arena/article-9889 |title=Viraj Jan Party all set to enter the political arena |work=Dainik Jagran English |access-date=18 July 2026}}</ref><ref name="Jagran_Contest">{{cite news |url=https://www.dainikjagranmpcg.com/election/prashant-kumar-saini-will-contest-elections-in-viraj-jan-party/article-39570 |title=Prashant Kumar Saini will contest elections in Viraj Jan Party |work=Dainik Jagran |access-date=18 July 2026}}</ref><ref name="ECI_Registration" />

== History and campaigns ==
The Viraj Jan Party emerged as a political organisation in Rajasthan and subsequently announced plans to participate in future assembly and regional elections.<ref name="Bhaskar_Campaign">{{cite news |url=https://bhaskardigital.com/a-big-rally-and-membership-campaign-of-viraj/ |title=A big rally and membership campaign of Viraj |work=Bhaskar Digital |access-date=18 July 2026}}</ref> To establish its presence, the party organized several large-scale rallies and membership drives in [[Jaipur]] and other major districts of the state to garner public support.<ref name="Jagran_MassiveRally">{{cite news |url=https://english.dainikjagranmpcg.com/politics/-a-massive-rally-and-membership-campaign-by-viraj-jan/article-10900 |title=A massive rally and membership campaign by Viraj Jan Party |work=Dainik Jagran English |access-date=18 July 2026}}</ref><ref name="Kesari_Rally">{{cite news |url=https://www.punjabkesari.in/national/news/viraj-jan-partys-massive-rally-in-jaipur-public-support-growing-rapidly-2265351 |title=Viraj Jan Party's massive rally in Jaipur: Public support growing rapidly |work=Punjab Kesari |access-date=18 July 2026}}</ref>

The party was included in the official lists of political parties maintained by the state election authorities during the state assembly processes.<ref name="Raj_Election_List">{{cite web |url=https://election.rajasthan.gov.in/State_Assembly_Election_2023/List%20of%20Political%20Party%20dated%2027.10.2023.pdf |title=List of Political Parties |publisher=Election Department, Government of Rajasthan |date=27 October 2023 |access-date=18 July 2026}}</ref>

== Ideology ==
The party has stated that its primary core focus lies in ideological politics and public participation campaigns rather than conventional glamour-driven political strategies, asserting a commitment to public-oriented development issues even if it faces challenging electoral outcomes.<ref name="Bhaskar_Announcement">{{cite news |url=https://bhaskardigital.com/viraj-jan-partys-big-announcement-will/ |title=Viraj Jan Party's big announcement |work=Bhaskar Digital |access-date=18 July 2026}}</ref><ref name="Kesari_Glam">{{cite news |url=https://www.punjabkesari.in/national/news/viraj-jan-party-claims-they-will-lose-the-election-but-will-not-engage-in-glam-2337796 |title=Viraj Jan Party claims they will lose the election but will not engage in glam |work=Punjab Kesari |access-date=18 July 2026}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Political parties in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Political parties established in 2022]]

User talk:Farhanali2

2026-07-18T05:28:51Z

WikiDwarf: Welcome!

== Welcome! ==

Hello, Farhanali2, and welcome to Bharatpedia. We appreciate encyclopedic contributions, but some of your [[Special:Contributions/Farhanali2|recent contributions]] seem to be advertising or for [[Bharatpedia:What Bharatpedia is not#Bharatpedia is not a soapbox or means of promotion |promotional purposes]]. Bharatpedia does not allow advertising. For more information on this, please see:
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If you still have questions, there is a [[Bharatpedia:Questions|new contributors' help page]], or you can {{edit|Special:MyTalk|click here to ask a question on your talk page|section=new|preload=Help:Contents/helpmepreload|preloadtitle=Help me!}}. You may also find the following pages useful for a general introduction to Bharatpedia:
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I hope you enjoy editing Bharatpedia! Please [[Bharatpedia:Signatures|sign your name]] on talk pages using four tildes (<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>); this will automatically produce your name and the date. Feel free to write a note on the bottom of my talk page if you want to get in touch with me. Again, welcome!

Arignar Anna College

2026-07-18T05:26:56Z

WikiDwarf: Reverted edit by Farhanali2 (talk) to last revision by WikiDwarf

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox university
| name = Arignar Anna College
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| image =
| image_upright =
| image_alt =
| caption =
| established = 1970
| founder =
| type = Public
| motto =
| motto_lang = [[Sanskrit]]
| mottoeng =
| city = [[Aralvaymoli]], [[Kanyakumari district]]
| principal = Dr.S.Subramania Pillai
| dean =
| director =
| head_label =
| head =
| academic_staff =
| administrative_staff =
| students =
| undergrad =
| postgrad =
| doctoral =
| other =
| state = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| country = [[India]]
| postcode = 629301
| coordinates = {{coord|8.1569877|77.4416563|display=Inline}}
| campus = Urban
| affiliations = [[Manonmaniam Sundaranar University]]
| language =
| free_label =
| free =
| free_label2 =
| free2 =
| colors = 
| athletics =
| sports =
| athletics_nickname = 
| sporting_affiliations =
| mascot = 
| sports_free_label =
| sports_free =
| sports_free_label2 =
| sports_free2 =
| website = http://www.arignarannacollege.com/
| logo =
| logo_size =
| logo_alt =
| footnotes =
}}

'''Arignar Anna College''', is a general degree college located in [[Aralvaymoli]], [[Kanyakumari district]], [[Tamil Nadu]]. It was established in the year 1970. The college is affiliated with [[Manonmaniam Sundaranar University]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Affiliated College of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University |url=http://www.msuniv.ac.in/affilated-colleges.aspx |access-date=2017-09-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920155435/http://www.msuniv.ac.in/affilated-colleges.aspx |archive-date=2017-09-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This college offers different courses in arts, commerce and science.

==Departments==
===Science===
*Physics
*Chemistry
*Mathematics
*Botany
*Zoology
*Computer Application

===Arts and Commerce===
*Tamil
*English
*Economics
*Commerce

==Accreditation==
The college is recognized by the [[University Grants Commission (India)|University Grants Commission]] (UGC).

==See also==
*[[Education in India]]
*[[Literacy in India]]
*[[List of colleges in Kanyakumari district]]
*[[List of institutions of higher education in Tamil Nadu]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*http://www.arignarannacollege.com/
*{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.co.in/maps/place/Arignar+Anna+College/@8.1569877,77.4416563,94m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x3b04f0e3f7976631:0xc120d338b13d16c!8m2!3d8.1569824!4d77.4419313|title= Arignar Anna College}}

{{Education in Tamil Nadu}}
{{District of Kanyakumari}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1970]]
[[Category:1970 establishments in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Colleges affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Kanyakumari district]]

{{TamilNadu-university-stub}}

Arignar Anna College

2026-07-18T05:19:34Z

WikiDwarf: Reverted edit by Farhanali2 (talk) to last revision by CleanupBot II

Main Page

2026-07-17T15:13:46Z

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|[[Category:Declined drafts]]
}}
|T = [[Category:Unsubmitted drafts]]
|#default = [[Category:Pending AfC submissions]]
}}
</includeonly>
<noinclude>
{{Documentation}}
</noinclude><includeonly>
{{#switch:{{ucfirst:{{{1|}}}}}
|R = [[Category:Drafts under review]]
|D = {{#if:{{{reject|}}}
|[[Category:Rejected drafts]]
|[[Category:Declined drafts]]
}}
|T = [[Category:Unsubmitted drafts]]
|#default = [[Category:Pending AfC submissions]]
}}
</includeonly>
<noinclude>
{{Documentation}}
</noinclude>

Draft:Masood TP

2026-07-16T14:35:44Z

WikiDwarf: Declining submission: bio -

{{AfC submission|d|bio|u=Moviemover916|ns=118|decliner=WikiDwarf|declinets=20260716143543|reject=yes|small=yes|ts=20260629153155}} 
{{AfC comment|1=Requested changes have been addressed. [[User:Moviemover916|Moviemover916]] ([[User talk:Moviemover916|talk]]) 01:35, 16 July 2026 (IST)}}

{{AfC comment|1=Requested changes have been addressed. [[User:Moviemover916|Moviemover916]] ([[User talk:Moviemover916|talk]]) 23:10, 4 July 2026 (IST)}}

{{AfC submission|||ts=20260630124600|u=Moviemover916|ns=118}} 
{{Short description|Indian film producer and executive producer}}

{{Infobox person
| name = Masood TP
| birth_date = 
| birth_place = 
| nationality = Indian
| image = Masood-tp.png
| occupation = Film producer, executive producer, finance controller
| years_active = 2011–present
| known_for = ''Diwanjimoola Grand Prix'', ''Anomie''
}}

'''Masood TP''' is an Indian film producer and executive producer who works primarily in the Malayalam film industry. He is known for producing ''[[Diwanjimoola Grand Prix]]'' (2018) and serving as co-producer and executive producer of ''[[Anomie (film)|Anomie]]'' (2026).

== Career ==

Masood made his debut as a producer with ''[[Diwanjimoola Grand Prix]]'' (2018), directed by Anil Radhakrishnan Menon. Released on 5 January 2018, the film received generally positive reviews from critics.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Kunchacko Boban to play a bureaucrat in Diwanji Moola Grand Prix |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/kunchacko-boban-to-play-a-bureaucrat-in-diwanji-moola-grand-prix/articleshow/58152883.cms |work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Diwanjimoola Grand Prix Review |url=https://www.behindwoods.com/malayalam-movies/diwanjimoola-grand-prix/diwanjimoola-grand-prix-review-1.html |website=Behindwoods |date=6 January 2018}}</ref>

In 2026, Masood served as co producer and executive producer of ''[[Anomie (film)|Anomie]]'', starring Bhavana and Rahman, which was released on 6 February 2026.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Bhavana starrer Anomie gets new release date |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2026/jan/21/bhavana-starrer-anomie-gets-new-release-date |work=Cinema Express |date=21 January 2026}}</ref>

He also served as executive producer on the Tamil language film ''[[Justice For Jeni]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Justice For Jeni Official Trailer |url=https://mykollywood.com/news/kollywood-news/justice-for-jeni-official-trailer-santhosh-ryan-goutham-vincent/ |website=MyKollywood}}</ref>

Masood is the producer of the Malayalam film ''[[Thattum Vellattam]]'', which was announced in 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Asif Ali, Soubin Shahir join Thattum Vellattam |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2020/jan/04/asif-ali-soubin-shahir-join-thattum-vellattam |work=The New Indian Express |date=4 January 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Asif Ali and Soubin Shahir together in Thattum Vellattam |url=https://www.nowrunning.com/asif-ali-soubin-together-in-thattum-vellattam/142848/story.htm |website=NowRunning |date=5 January 2020}}</ref>

== Filmography ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Film
! Role
! Language
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Diwanjimoola Grand Prix]]''
| Producer
| Malayalam
|-
| 2026
| ''[[Anomie (film)|Anomie]]''
| Co-producer, executive producer
| Malayalam
|-
| 2026
| ''[[Justice For Jeni]]''
| Executive producer<ref>{{Cite web |title=Justice For Jeni Official Trailer |url=https://mykollywood.com/news/kollywood-news/justice-for-jeni-official-trailer-santhosh-ryan-goutham-vincent/ |website=MyKollywood}}</ref>
| Tamil
|-
| TBA
| ''[[Thattum Vellattam]]''
| Producer
| Malayalam
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb name|nm8927672|Masood TP}}

User talk:Moviemover916

2026-07-16T14:35:43Z

WikiDwarf: Notification: AfC submission declined

<div style="border:solid 1px #57DB1E; background:#E6FFE6; padding:1em; padding-top:0.5em; padding-bottom:0.5em; width:20em; color:black; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 1.5em; width: 90%;">[[File:AFC-Logo.svg|50px|left]] '''[[Anomie (film)]], which you submitted to Articles for creation, has been created.'''<br />

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[[User:Ajay Kumar|Ajay Kumar]] ([[User talk:Ajay Kumar|talk]]) 11:21, 29 June 2026 (IST)</div>

<div style="border:solid 1px #57DB1E; background:#E6FFE6; padding:1em; padding-top:0.5em; padding-bottom:0.5em; width:20em; color:black; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 1.5em; width: 90%;">[[File:AFC-Logo.svg|50px|left]] '''[[Diwanjimoola Grand Prix]], which you submitted to Articles for creation, has been created.'''<br />

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[[User:Ajay Kumar|Ajay Kumar]] ([[User talk:Ajay Kumar|talk]]) 11:22, 29 June 2026 (IST)</div>

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[[User:WikiDwarf|WikiDwarf]] ([[User talk:WikiDwarf|talk]]) 12:33, 29 June 2026 (IST)</div>

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[[User:WikiDwarf|WikiDwarf]] ([[User talk:WikiDwarf|talk]]) 22:22, 29 June 2026 (IST)</div>

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[[User:Ajay Kumar|Ajay Kumar]] ([[User talk:Ajay Kumar|talk]]) 21:15, 1 July 2026 (IST)</div>

<div style="border: solid 1px #FCC; background-color: #F8EEBC; padding: 0.5em 1em; color: #000; margin: 1.5em; width: 90%;"> [[File:Oxygen480-actions-document-close.svg|50px|left]]Your recent article submission to [[Bharatpedia:Articles for creation|Articles for Creation]] has been reviewed! Unfortunately, it has not been accepted at this time.<nowiki> </nowiki>The reason left by WikiDwarf was:

{{divbox|gray|3=This draft's references do not show that the person meets Bharatpedia's [[Bharatpedia:Notability (people)|criteria for inclusion for people]]. The draft requires multiple published [[Bharatpedia:Secondary|secondary]] sources that:
* provide ''[[Bharatpedia:Notability_(people)#Basic_criteria|significant coverage]]'': discuss the person in detail, not brief mentions or interviews lacking independent analysis;
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{{clear}}
* If you would like to continue working on the submission, go to [[Draft:Masood_TP]] and click on the "Edit" tab at the top of the window.
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[[User:WikiDwarf|WikiDwarf]] ([[User talk:WikiDwarf|talk]]) 20:05, 16 July 2026 (IST)</div>

Draft:Pankaj Vashisht

2026-07-16T14:34:30Z

WikiDwarf: Declining submission: bio -

{{AfC submission|d|bio|u=106.222.205.143|ns=118|decliner=WikiDwarf|declinets=20260716143429|reject=yes|small=yes|ts=20260716065333}} 
{{AfC submission|||ts=20260716065333|u=|ns=118}} 
{{Infobox person
| name = Pankaj Vashisht
| image = Pankaj Vashisht.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Pankaj Vashisht
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = pa
| birth_name =
| birth_date =
| birth_place = [[Koi (Kuntipur)]], [[Punjab]], [[India]]
| nationality = Indian
| occupation = Visual effects supervisor, CGI artist, film editor
| years_active = 2016–present
| employer = Freelance
| known_for = Visual effects and CGI work in Indian films and streaming productions
| notable_works = ''[[Drishyam 2 (2022 film)]]'', ''[[Heropanti 2]]'', ''[[Kill (film)]]'', ''[[Apurva]]'', ''[[Sukhee]]'', ''[[Citadel: Honey Bunny]]'', ''[[Bad Cop (TV series)]]'', ''Raid 2'', ''[[Hanuman Ansh]]''
| website =
| module =
{{IMDb name|11732251}}
}}
```

'''Pankaj Vashisht'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Hindi Editor Pankaj Vashisht Biography, News, Photos, Videos |url=https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/hindi/editor/pankaj-vashisht |website=nettv4u |language=en}}</ref> is an Indian [[visual effects]] (VFX) supervisor, CGI artist, and film editor. Since beginning his career in 2016, he has worked on feature films, web series, television productions, commercials, and music videos, specializing in visual effects, computer-generated imagery (CGI), compositing, and digital post-production.
Originally from [[Punjab]], Pankaj started his career as a video editor before establishing himself in the visual effects industry. Over the years, he has contributed to several commercially released films and streaming productions, working in roles including VFX artist, CGI artist, VFX supervisor, and editor.

==Early life==
Pankaj Vashisht was born in Village [[Koi (Kuntipur)]], Punjab, India.<ref>{{cite web |title=VFX Rising Star's Journey From Punjab Village To Bollywood |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU2306/S00030/vfx-rising-star-s-journey-from-punjab-village-to-bollywood.html |website=scoop |language=en}}</ref> He developed an interest in filmmaking, editing, and digital visual effects at an early age before pursuing a career in the Indian entertainment industry.

==Career==
Pankaj Vashisht began his professional career in the film industry in 2016, initially working as a video editor and [[visual effects]] artist. Over the years, he expanded his work into CGI supervision, compositing, motion graphics, and VFX supervision for films, web series, television productions, and music videos.
He has been credited on numerous Hindi-language feature films and streaming productions, including work on [[Drishyam 2 (2022 film)]], [[Heropanti 2]], [[Kill (film)]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Kill (2024) Cast and Crew |url=https://www.moviefone.com/movie/kill/vQuDjrZpSpIAcW8vjBzPf1/credits/ |website=Moviefone |language=en}}</ref>, [[Apurva]], [[Sukhee]], [[Citadel: Honey Bunny]], [[Bad Cop (TV series)]], Raid 2 (2025), and several other productions. His IMDb profile also lists him as the Visual Effects Supervisor for the upcoming film [[Hanuman Ansh]].
Apart from feature films, Vashisht has worked on television series, music videos, promotional campaigns, and independent productions as a VFX artist, CGI supervisor, and editor.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pankaj Vashisht |url=https://trakt.tv/people/pankaj-vashisht |website=Trakt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Films with visual effects by Pankaj Vashisht |url=https://letterboxd.com/visual-effects/pankaj-vashisht/ |website=letterboxd.com |language=en}}</ref>
In addition to his technical work, he has also written song lyrics, including the independent music release "Ek Pyaar Ki Dastaan"<ref>{{cite web |title=Pankaj Vashisht {{!}} Visual Effects, Editor, Director |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11732251/ |website=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Pankaj Vashisht |url=https://www.gawby.com/en/person/6658959 |website=GAWBY |language=en |access-date=2026-02-14 |archive-date=2025-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126173634/https://www.gawby.com/en/person/6658959 |url-status=dead }}</ref>.

== Filmography ==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes
|-
| 2022 || ''[[Heropanti 2]]'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2022 || ''[[Drishyam 2 (2022 film)]]'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2022 || ''[[Siya (film)]]'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2022 || ''Duranga'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2022 || ''Recommended for You'' || Visual effects artist || Short Film
|-
| 2023 || ''Any How Mitti Pao'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2023 || ''Gumraah'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2023 || ''[[Kill (film)]]'' || CGI & Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2023 || ''[[Apurva]]'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2023 || ''[[Sukhee]]'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2023 || ''Chill Bro'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2023 || ''[[Acting Ka Bhoot]]'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2024 || ''[[Citadel: Honey Bunny]]'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2024 || ''[[Bad Cop (TV series)]]'' || CGI & Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2024 || ''Heartbeats: Pyaar Aur Armaan'' || Visual effects artist || Television series
|-
| 2024 || ''Kalwa'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2024 || ''Ghamasaan'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2024 || ''Naam Mein Kya Rakha Hai'' || Visual effects artist || Short Film
|-
| 2025 || ''Raid 2'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2026 || ''[[Hanuman Ansh]]'' || Visual effects supervisor || Upcoming film
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

User talk:106.222.205.143

2026-07-16T14:34:30Z

WikiDwarf: Notification: AfC submission declined

<div style="border: solid 1px #FCC; background-color: #F8EEBC; padding: 0.5em 1em; color: #000; margin: 1.5em; width: 90%;"> [[File:Oxygen480-actions-document-close.svg|50px|left]]Your recent article submission to [[Bharatpedia:Articles for creation|Articles for Creation]] has been reviewed! Unfortunately, it has not been accepted at this time.<nowiki> </nowiki>The reason left by WikiDwarf was:

{{divbox|gray|3=This draft's references do not show that the person meets Bharatpedia's [[Bharatpedia:Notability (people)|criteria for inclusion for people]]. The draft requires multiple published [[Bharatpedia:Secondary|secondary]] sources that:
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{{clear}}
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[[User:WikiDwarf|WikiDwarf]] ([[User talk:WikiDwarf|talk]]) 20:04, 16 July 2026 (IST)</div>

Draft:Square Insurance Broker Pvt. Ltd

2026-07-16T14:34:03Z

WikiDwarf: Declining submission: corp -

{{AfC submission|d|corp|u=Squareinsurance|ns=118|decliner=WikiDwarf|declinets=20260716143402|reject=yes|small=yes|ts=20260716105222}} 
{{AfC submission|||ts=20260716105222|u=Squareinsurance|ns=118}} 
{{Infobox company
| ISIN = N/A
| Type = Private company
| areas_served = India
| aum = N/A
| brands = Square Insurance
| foundation = April 2017
| founders = Rakesh Kumar
| genre = Insurance Broking
| homepage = https://www.squareinsurance.in/
| hq_location = 506, 5th Floor, V-Jai City Point, Ahinsha Circle, C-Scheme, Jaipur (Raj.)-302001
| hq_location_city = Jaipur
| hq_location_country = India
| image = Square insurance
| industry = Finance
| location_city = Jaipur
| location_country = India
| name = Square Insurance Broker Pvt. Ltd
}}

'''Square Insurance Broker Pvt. Ltd''' is a Private company headquartered in Jaipur, India.

The company operates in the Finance industry.

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

User talk:Squareinsurance

2026-07-16T14:34:03Z

WikiDwarf: Notification: AfC submission declined

<div style="border: solid 1px #FCC; background-color: #F8EEBC; padding: 0.5em 1em; color: #000; margin: 1.5em; width: 90%;"> [[File:Oxygen480-actions-document-close.svg|50px|left]]Your recent article submission to [[Bharatpedia:Articles for creation|Articles for Creation]] has been reviewed! Unfortunately, it has not been accepted at this time.<nowiki> </nowiki>The reason left by WikiDwarf was:

{{divbox|gray|3=This draft's references do not show that the subject meets Bharatpedia's [[Bharatpedia:Notability (organizations and companies)|criteria for inclusion for organizations and companies]]. The draft requires multiple published [[Bharatpedia:Secondary|secondary]] sources that:
* provide ''[[Bharatpedia:Notability (organizations and companies)#Significant coverage|significant coverage]]'': discuss the subject in detail, excluding routine coverage like product launches, staff appointments, or financial reports and listings in databases or [[listicle]]s;
* are ''[[Bharatpedia:Reliable sources|reliable]]'': from reputable outlets with editorial oversight;
* are ''[[Bharatpedia:Independent_sources|independent]]'': not connected to the subject, such as press releases, the subject's own website, or sponsored content.

Please add references that meet ''all three'' of these criteria. If none exist, the subject is not yet suitable for Bharatpedia.|}} Please check the submission for any additional comments left by the reviewer. You are encouraged to edit the submission to address the issues raised and resubmit ''when they have been resolved''.
{{clear}}
* If you would like to continue working on the submission, go to [[Draft:Square_Insurance_Broker_Pvt._Ltd]] and click on the "Edit" tab at the top of the window.
* If you now believe the draft cannot meet Bharatpedia's standards or do not wish to progress it further, you may request deletion. Please go to [[Draft:Square_Insurance_Broker_Pvt._Ltd]], click on the "Edit" tab at the top of the window, add "{{tl|Db-g7}}" at the top of the draft text and click the blue "publish changes" button to save this edit.
* If you do not make any further changes to your draft, in 6 months, it will be considered abandoned and [[Bharatpedia:Criteria for speedy deletion#G13. Abandoned Drafts and Articles for creation submissions|may be deleted]].
* If you need any assistance, or have experienced any [[Bharatpedia:Articles for creation/Scam warning|untoward behavior]] associated with this submission, you can ask for help at the <span class="plainlinks">[//en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bharatpedia:WikiProject_Articles_for_creation/Help_desk&action=edit&section=new&nosummary=1&preload=Template:AfC_decline/HD_preload&preloadparams%5B%5D=Draft:Square_Insurance_Broker_Pvt._Ltd '''Articles for creation help desk''']</span>, on the <span class="plainlinks">[//en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:WikiDwarf&action=edit&section=new&nosummary=1&preload=Template:AfC_decline/HD_preload&preloadparams%5B%5D=Draft:Square_Insurance_Broker_Pvt._Ltd '''reviewer's talk page''']</span>.
[[User:WikiDwarf|WikiDwarf]] ([[User talk:WikiDwarf|talk]]) 20:04, 16 July 2026 (IST)</div>

Draft:Sanjay Ghare

2026-07-16T14:33:43Z

WikiDwarf: Declining submission: bio -

{{AfC submission|d|bio|u=Prashant1|ns=118|decliner=WikiDwarf|declinets=20260716143341|reject=yes|small=yes|ts=20260615130309}} 
{{AfC submission|||ts=20260615130310|u=Prashant1|ns=118}} 
{{Infobox person
| name = Sanjay Ghare
| image = Sanjay Ghare.jpeg
| caption = Sanjay Ghare, Founder and CEO of Vervotech
| birth_place = India
| nationality = Indian
| occupation = Entrepreneur, Investor, Author, Podcast Host
| years_active = 2007–present
| known_for = Founder of Vervotech; Host of ''Candid with Sanjay''
| notable_works = Vervotech, JPMorgan Chase & Co, ''Candid with Sanjay''
| title = Forbes Technology Council Member, TEDx Speaker
}}

'''Sanjay Ghare''' is an Indian entrepreneur, investor, and travel technology leader best known as the founder and CEO of [[Vervotech]], a global accommodation data company acquired by [[Constellation Software]].<ref name="forbes">[https://councils.forbes.com/profile/Sanjay-Ghare-Founder-CEO-Vervotech/5ffa6694-fb7e-4381-824e-4f3408673844 Sanjay Ghare | Founder & CEO – Vervotech, Forbes Technology Council]</ref> With over 18 years of experience in SaaS and travel technology, he has built, advised, and invested in multiple high-growth companies, including Techspian, Zeal Connect, Guestara, TravClan, and VantisCorp.<ref name="linkedin">[https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjayghare Sanjay Ghare – Founder & CEO at Vervotech, LinkedIn]</ref> He is also the host of ''Candid with Sanjay'', regarded as one of the most viewed travel and hospitality podcasts in the world.

== Early career ==

Sanjay began his career in the travel technology space, eventually joining Tavisca Solutions as Vice President. At Tavisca, he built the SaaS division from the ground up and scaled it to customers across more than 15 countries.<ref name="founderthesis">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1lZeAckrwg Sanjay Ghare takes a masterclass on building vertical SaaS, Founder Thesis Podcast]</ref> The company was later acquired by cxLoyalty in 2018, which was subsequently acquired by [[JPMorgan Chase]], where the technology now powers Chase Travel.<ref name="founderthesis" />

== Vervotech ==

Sanjay co-founded Vervotech in October 2018, a bootstrapped travel technology company with the mission of "Organising the World's Accommodation Data." Under his leadership, the company became a trusted name in hotel mapping, room mapping, and accommodation data, serving over 1,000 online travel companies worldwide.<ref name="forbes" />

Vervotech was later acquired by Juniper Group, a division of Constellation Software, one of the world's largest software conglomerates.<ref name="phocuswire">[https://www.phocuswire.com/vervotech-acquired-constellation-acquisition-spree Vervotech acquired as Constellation continues acquisition spree, PhocusWire]</ref> Sanjay continued to lead the company after the acquisition and doubled its revenue within two years.

== Other ventures ==

Beyond Vervotech, Sanjay has co-founded, invested in, and advised several companies in the technology and travel sectors, including:

* [https://www.techspian.com Techspian] – A technology services and product engineering firm founded during the COVID-19 pandemic
* [https://www.zealconnect.com Zeal Connect] – AI-native travel operations platform that automates hotel reconfirmations and customer support for travel businesses
* [https://www.guestara.com Guestara] – AI-powered guest management platform for hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals
* TravClan – B2B travel platform for travel agents and tour operators
* VantisCorp – AI-native TMC (Travel Management Company) technology platform

He is also the founder of the Ram Sukrut Kalyan Foundation, a non-profit organisation

User talk:Prashant1

2026-07-16T14:33:42Z

WikiDwarf: Notification: AfC submission declined

<div style="border: solid 1px #FCC; background-color: #F8EEBC; padding: 0.5em 1em; color: #000; margin: 1.5em; width: 90%;"> [[File:Oxygen480-actions-document-close.svg|50px|left]]Your recent article submission to [[Bharatpedia:Articles for creation|Articles for Creation]] has been reviewed! Unfortunately, it has not been accepted at this time.<nowiki> </nowiki>The reason left by WikiDwarf was:

{{divbox|gray|3=This draft's references do not show that the person meets Bharatpedia's [[Bharatpedia:Notability (people)|criteria for inclusion for people]]. The draft requires multiple published [[Bharatpedia:Secondary|secondary]] sources that:
* provide ''[[Bharatpedia:Notability_(people)#Basic_criteria|significant coverage]]'': discuss the person in detail, not brief mentions or interviews lacking independent analysis;
* are ''[[Bharatpedia:Reliable sources|reliable]]'': from reputable outlets with editorial oversight;
* are ''[[Bharatpedia:Independent_sources|independent]]'': not connected to the person, such as interviews, press releases, the subject's own website, or sponsored content.

Please add references that meet ''all three'' of these criteria. If none exist, the subject is not yet suitable for Bharatpedia.|}} Please check the submission for any additional comments left by the reviewer. You are encouraged to edit the submission to address the issues raised and resubmit ''when they have been resolved''.
{{clear}}
* If you would like to continue working on the submission, go to [[Draft:Sanjay_Ghare]] and click on the "Edit" tab at the top of the window.
* If you now believe the draft cannot meet Bharatpedia's standards or do not wish to progress it further, you may request deletion. Please go to [[Draft:Sanjay_Ghare]], click on the "Edit" tab at the top of the window, add "{{tl|Db-g7}}" at the top of the draft text and click the blue "publish changes" button to save this edit.
* If you do not make any further changes to your draft, in 6 months, it will be considered abandoned and [[Bharatpedia:Criteria for speedy deletion#G13. Abandoned Drafts and Articles for creation submissions|may be deleted]].
* If you need any assistance, or have experienced any [[Bharatpedia:Articles for creation/Scam warning|untoward behavior]] associated with this submission, you can ask for help at the <span class="plainlinks">[//en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bharatpedia:WikiProject_Articles_for_creation/Help_desk&action=edit&section=new&nosummary=1&preload=Template:AfC_decline/HD_preload&preloadparams%5B%5D=Draft:Sanjay_Ghare '''Articles for creation help desk''']</span>, on the <span class="plainlinks">[//en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:WikiDwarf&action=edit&section=new&nosummary=1&preload=Template:AfC_decline/HD_preload&preloadparams%5B%5D=Draft:Sanjay_Ghare '''reviewer's talk page''']</span>.
[[User:WikiDwarf|WikiDwarf]] ([[User talk:WikiDwarf|talk]]) 20:03, 16 July 2026 (IST)</div>

Draft:Pankaj Vashisht

2026-07-16T05:24:56Z

WikiDwarf: WikiDwarf moved page Pankaj Vashisht to Draft:Pankaj Vashisht without leaving a redirect: Not yet ready, lack sources that establish notability.

{{Infobox person
| name = Pankaj Vashisht
| image = Pankaj Vashisht.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Pankaj Vashisht
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = pa
| birth_name =
| birth_date =
| birth_place = [[Koi (Kuntipur)]], [[Punjab]], [[India]]
| nationality = Indian
| occupation = Visual effects supervisor, CGI artist, film editor
| years_active = 2016–present
| employer = Freelance
| known_for = Visual effects and CGI work in Indian films and streaming productions
| notable_works = ''[[Drishyam 2 (2022 film)]]'', ''[[Heropanti 2]]'', ''[[Kill (film)]]'', ''[[Apurva]]'', ''[[Sukhee]]'', ''[[Citadel: Honey Bunny]]'', ''[[Bad Cop (TV series)]]'', ''Raid 2'', ''[[Hanuman Ansh]]''
| website =
| module =
{{IMDb name|11732251}}
}}
```

'''Pankaj Vashisht'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Hindi Editor Pankaj Vashisht Biography, News, Photos, Videos |url=https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/hindi/editor/pankaj-vashisht |website=nettv4u |language=en}}</ref> is an Indian [[visual effects]] (VFX) supervisor, CGI artist, and film editor. Since beginning his career in 2016, he has worked on feature films, web series, television productions, commercials, and music videos, specializing in visual effects, computer-generated imagery (CGI), compositing, and digital post-production.
Originally from [[Punjab]], Pankaj started his career as a video editor before establishing himself in the visual effects industry. Over the years, he has contributed to several commercially released films and streaming productions, working in roles including VFX artist, CGI artist, VFX supervisor, and editor.

==Early life==
Pankaj Vashisht was born in Village [[Koi (Kuntipur)]], Punjab, India.<ref>{{cite web |title=VFX Rising Star's Journey From Punjab Village To Bollywood |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU2306/S00030/vfx-rising-star-s-journey-from-punjab-village-to-bollywood.html |website=scoop |language=en}}</ref> He developed an interest in filmmaking, editing, and digital visual effects at an early age before pursuing a career in the Indian entertainment industry.

==Career==
Pankaj Vashisht began his professional career in the film industry in 2016, initially working as a video editor and [[visual effects]] artist. Over the years, he expanded his work into CGI supervision, compositing, motion graphics, and VFX supervision for films, web series, television productions, and music videos.
He has been credited on numerous Hindi-language feature films and streaming productions, including work on [[Drishyam 2 (2022 film)]], [[Heropanti 2]], [[Kill (film)]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Kill (2024) Cast and Crew |url=https://www.moviefone.com/movie/kill/vQuDjrZpSpIAcW8vjBzPf1/credits/ |website=Moviefone |language=en}}</ref>, [[Apurva]], [[Sukhee]], [[Citadel: Honey Bunny]], [[Bad Cop (TV series)]], Raid 2 (2025), and several other productions. His IMDb profile also lists him as the Visual Effects Supervisor for the upcoming film [[Hanuman Ansh]].
Apart from feature films, Vashisht has worked on television series, music videos, promotional campaigns, and independent productions as a VFX artist, CGI supervisor, and editor.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pankaj Vashisht |url=https://trakt.tv/people/pankaj-vashisht |website=Trakt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Films with visual effects by Pankaj Vashisht |url=https://letterboxd.com/visual-effects/pankaj-vashisht/ |website=letterboxd.com |language=en}}</ref>
In addition to his technical work, he has also written song lyrics, including the independent music release "Ek Pyaar Ki Dastaan"<ref>{{cite web |title=Pankaj Vashisht {{!}} Visual Effects, Editor, Director |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11732251/ |website=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Pankaj Vashisht |url=https://www.gawby.com/en/person/6658959 |website=GAWBY |language=en |access-date=2026-02-14 |archive-date=2025-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126173634/https://www.gawby.com/en/person/6658959 |url-status=dead }}</ref>.

== Filmography ==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes
|-
| 2022 || ''[[Heropanti 2]]'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2022 || ''[[Drishyam 2 (2022 film)]]'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2022 || ''[[Siya (film)]]'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2022 || ''Duranga'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2022 || ''Recommended for You'' || Visual effects artist || Short Film
|-
| 2023 || ''Any How Mitti Pao'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2023 || ''Gumraah'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2023 || ''[[Kill (film)]]'' || CGI & Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2023 || ''[[Apurva]]'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2023 || ''[[Sukhee]]'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2023 || ''Chill Bro'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2023 || ''[[Acting Ka Bhoot]]'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2024 || ''[[Citadel: Honey Bunny]]'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2024 || ''[[Bad Cop (TV series)]]'' || CGI & Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2024 || ''Heartbeats: Pyaar Aur Armaan'' || Visual effects artist || Television series
|-
| 2024 || ''Kalwa'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2024 || ''Ghamasaan'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2024 || ''Naam Mein Kya Rakha Hai'' || Visual effects artist || Short Film
|-
| 2025 || ''Raid 2'' || Visual effects artist ||
|-
| 2026 || ''[[Hanuman Ansh]]'' || Visual effects supervisor || Upcoming film
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

Draft talk:Viraj Jan Party (VRJP)

2026-07-14T14:45:23Z

WikiDwarf: /* I request the editors to modify into the proper format according to Bharatpedia. */ Reply

== I request the editors to modify into the proper format according to Bharatpedia. ==

kindly modify it according to proper format. [[User:Milestone|Milestone]] ([[User talk:Milestone|talk]]) 16:34, 12 July 2026 (IST)

:@[[User:Milestone|Milestone]] The subject has not yet demonstrated independent notability. Most cited sources are routine announcements, event coverage, or official listings and do not provide the significant independent coverage required by BP:GNG. Please add reliable, independent secondary sources that discuss the party in depth, and do not manually move the draft to the main namespace. [[User:WikiDwarf|WikiDwarf]] ([[User talk:WikiDwarf|talk]]) 20:15, 14 July 2026 (IST)

Draft talk:Viraj Jan Party (VRJP)

2026-07-14T14:41:05Z

WikiDwarf: WikiDwarf moved page Talk:Viraj Jan Party (VRJP) to Draft talk:Viraj Jan Party (VRJP) without leaving a redirect

Viraj Jan Party

2026-07-14T14:40:46Z

WikiDwarf: WikiDwarf moved page Viraj Jan Party (VRJP) to Draft:Viraj Jan Party (VRJP): Revert

Viraj Jan Party (VJP) is an Indian political party based in the state of Rajasthan.<ref>https://hindi.eci.gov.in/files/file/11889-new-parties-seeking-registration-dated-26122022/?do=download</ref><ref>https://bhaskardigital.com/viraj-jan-party-the-new-voice-of-administrative-revolution-in-politics/</ref> The party is led by politician Prashant Kumar Saini and has conducted rallies, membership campaigns, and public outreach programmes in Rajasthan.<ref>https://english.dainikjagranmpcg.com/politics/viraj-jan-party-all-set-to-enter-the-political-arena/article-9889</ref><ref>https://www.dainikjagranmpcg.com/election/prashant-kumar-saini-will-contest-elections-in-viraj-jan-party/article-39570</ref><ref>https://hindi.eci.gov.in/files/file/11889-new-parties-seeking-registration-dated-26122022/?do=download</ref>

The party has stated that it focuses on ideological politics and public participation campaigns in Rajasthan.<ref>https://bhaskardigital.com/viraj-jan-partys-big-announcement-will/</ref>

Viraj Jan Party Abbreviation-VJP

Founder-Prashant Kumar Saini<ref>https://www.punjabkesari.in/national/news/viraj-jan-party-claims-they-will-lose-the-election-but-will-not-engage-in-glam-2337796</ref>

Headquarters-Rajasthan, India<ref>https://election.rajasthan.gov.in/State_Assembly_Election_2023/List%20of%20Political%20Party%20dated%2027.10.2023.pdf</ref>

Politics of Rajasthan<ref>https://www.punjabkesari.in/national/news/viraj-jan-partys-massive-rally-in-jaipur-public-support-growing-rapidly-2265351</ref>

Viraj Jan Party emerged as a political organisation in Rajasthan and later announced plans to participate in future elections.<ref>https://bhaskardigital.com/a-big-rally-and-membership-campaign-of-viraj/</ref> The party organized rallies and membership drives in Jaipur and other areas of Rajasthan.<ref>https://english.dainikjagranmpcg.com/politics/-a-massive-rally-and-membership-campaign-by-viraj-jan/article-10900</ref>

Talk:Viraj Jan Party

2026-07-14T14:39:57Z

WikiDwarf: WikiDwarf moved page Draft talk:Viraj Jan Party (VRJP) to Draft talk:Viraj Jan Party over a redirect without leaving a redirect: Revert

#REDIRECT [[Talk:Viraj Jan Party (VRJP)]]

Pilania

2026-07-12T16:48:31Z

WikiDwarf: Reverted edits by HHZy7 (talk) to last revision by >Michaelwallace22

'''Pilania''' is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:

* [[Naveen Pilania]], Indian politician and member of the National People's Party
* [[Gyan Prakash Pilania]] (born 1932), Indian politician from Rajasthan

{{surname}}
[[Category:Surnames of Indian origin]]

Draft:Yogesh Rawat (Model & Fighter)

2026-07-11T05:04:33Z

WikiDwarf: WikiDwarf moved page Bharatpedia:Yogesh Rawat (Model & Fighter) to Draft:Yogesh Rawat (Model & Fighter) over a redirect without leaving a redirect: Revert

{{AfC submission|||ts=20260629105137|u=Piejuno|ns=118}} 
{{Infobox person
| name = Yogesh Rawat
| image = Yogesh Rawat (Model & Fighter).png
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2003|12|4}}
| birth_place = Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, India
| nationality = Indian
| occupation = Model, amateur boxer, reality television personality
| years_active = 2022–present
| known_for = ''MTV Splitsvilla X6'', ''Lock Upp 2''
}}

'''Yogesh Rawat''' (born 4 December 2003) is an Indian model, amateur boxer and reality television personality. He is best known for participating in the reality television series ''MTV Splitsvilla X6'' and ''Lock Upp 2''.<ref name="TOI-LockUpp">{{Cite news
|title=Lock Upp 2: Splitsvilla X6's Akanksha Chaudhary and Yogesh Rawat confirmed for the reality show
|work=The Times of India
|date=25 June 2026
|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/lock-upp-2-splitsvilla-16s-akanksha-chaudhary-and-yogesh-rawat-confirmed-for-the-reality-show/articleshow/131986584.cms
}}</ref>

==Early life==
Rawat was born in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. Before entering reality television, he trained in boxing and later pursued modelling.<ref name="IndiaBoxing">{{Cite web
|title=Yogesh Rawat
|website=India Boxing
|url=https://indiaboxing.in/boxers/1467
}}</ref>

==Career==

===Boxing===
Rawat has competed as an amateur boxer and is listed in the athlete database maintained by India Boxing.<ref name="IndiaBoxing" />

===Reality television===
Rawat rose to prominence after appearing as a contestant on ''MTV Splitsvilla X6''.<ref name="TOI-Splitsvilla">{{Cite news
|title=Splitsvilla X6: Yogesh Rawat gets brutally trolled after ex-girlfriend Ruru Thakur enters the show
|work=The Times of India
|date=17 March 2026
|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/splitsvilla-x6-yogesh-rawat-gets-brutally-trolled-after-ex-girlfriend-ruru-thakur-enters-the-show-loses-followers-on-social-media/articleshow/129628813.cms
}}</ref>

His interactions with fellow contestants, including Akanksha Chaudhary and Ruru Thakur, received coverage in entertainment media during the season.<ref>{{Cite news
|title=MTV Splitsvilla X6: Yogesh Rawat confesses his love for Ruru Thakur; Akanksha Choudhary gets shattered
|work=Moneycontrol
|url=
}}</ref>

In June 2026, Rawat joined the second season of ''Lock Upp'', reuniting with fellow ''Splitsvilla X6'' contestant Akanksha Chaudhary.<ref name="TOI-LockUpp" />

During the programme, several of his on-screen interactions and controversies received coverage from mainstream Indian media, including ''The Times of India'', ''Hindustan Times'', ''ANI'', ''News18'', and ''Free Press Journal''.<ref name="TOI-Cheating">{{Cite news
|title=Lock Upp 2: Yogesh Rawat breaks down emotionally as Kangana Ranaut questions him about his alleged cheating controversy
|work=The Times of India
|date=5 July 2026
|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/lock-upp-2-yogesh-rawat-breaks-down-emotionally-as-kangana-ranaut-questions-him-about-his-alleged-cheating-controversy-says-what-is-she-saying/articleshow/132191610.cms
}}</ref>

==Filmography==

{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 2026
| ''MTV Splitsvilla X6''
| Contestant
| Reality television
|-
| 2026
| ''Lock Upp 2''
| Contestant
| Reality television
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.instagram.com/yogeshrawat04 Official Instagram]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rawat, Yogesh}}
[[Category:2003 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Pithoragarh district]]
[[Category:Indian boxers]]
[[Category:Indian models]]
[[Category:Indian reality television participants]]
[[Category:People from Uttarakhand]]

Draft:Heptagon Global Services

2026-07-10T16:17:44Z

WikiDwarf: Declining submission: corp -

{{AfC submission|d|corp|u=2401:4900:8FED:AB4:551B:FE5D:69D:8792|ns=118|decliner=WikiDwarf|declinets=20260710161743|reject=yes|small=yes|ts=20260710130159}} 
{{AfC submission|||ts=20260710130200|u=|ns=118}} 
{{Infobox company
| Type = Organization
| areas_served = India, Australia, United States & more countries.
| image = http://heptagonservices.com/assets/front/services/large/business_now_(2).png
| industry = IT services
| name = Heptagon Global Services
| services = Digital Marketing, Website Development, SEO Services, Advertising, Branding, Video Editing, Social Media Marketing
}}

'''Heptagon Global Services''' is an Organization.

The company operates in the IT services industry.

Heptagon Global Services is an India-based digital marketing and web development company that provides services in search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, social media marketing, website design and development, branding, content marketing, and performance marketing. The company works with businesses across industries including healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, education, retail, and professional services.

Its service portfolio includes search engine optimization, Google Ads management, social media management, website development, e-commerce solutions, UI/UX design, online reputation management, and content creation. The company also offers digital strategy, analytics, and website maintenance services.

Heptagon Global Services serves clients in India and international markets, focusing on improving online visibility, lead generation, and digital customer engagement through data-driven marketing strategies. The company develops customized digital solutions based on clients' business objectives and industry requirements.

In addition to digital marketing, the company provides responsive website development and branding services aimed at helping organizations establish and maintain an online presence. Its approach combines technical implementation, digital advertising, search optimization, and performance measurement to support business growth.

Heptagon Global Services operates as a full-service digital agency, offering integrated digital solutions that encompass website development, online marketing, creative design, and digital consulting.

== References ==

https://heptagonservices.com/

User talk:2401:4900:8FED:AB4:551B:FE5D:69D:8792

2026-07-10T16:17:44Z

WikiDwarf: Notification: AfC submission declined

<div style="border: solid 1px #FCC; background-color: #F8EEBC; padding: 0.5em 1em; color: #000; margin: 1.5em; width: 90%;"> [[File:Oxygen480-actions-document-close.svg|50px|left]]Your recent article submission to [[Bharatpedia:Articles for creation|Articles for Creation]] has been reviewed! Unfortunately, it has not been accepted at this time.<nowiki> </nowiki>The reason left by WikiDwarf was:

{{divbox|gray|3=This draft's references do not show that the subject meets Bharatpedia's [[Bharatpedia:Notability (organizations and companies)|criteria for inclusion for organizations and companies]]. The draft requires multiple published [[Bharatpedia:Secondary|secondary]] sources that:
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Draft:OREAL World

2026-07-10T16:17:29Z

WikiDwarf: Declining submission: corp -

{{AfC submission|d|corp|u=Oreal-world|ns=118|decliner=WikiDwarf|declinets=20260710161725|reject=yes|small=yes|ts=20260710093258}} 
{{AfC submission|||ts=20260710093258|u=Oreal-world|ns=118}} 
{{Infobox organization
| headquarters = 5th floor, A-35, Sector-136, Noida - 201305
| leader_name = OREAL
| name = OREAL World
| website = https://www.orealworld.com
}}

'''OREAL World''' is an EdTech AVGC-XR institute based in Noida, offering industry-focused training in Animation, VFX, Game Development, XR (AR/VR), Digital Art, and Creative Technologies..

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

[[File:OREAL World LOGO.jpg|thumb]]

User talk:Oreal-world

2026-07-10T16:17:26Z

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<div style="border: solid 1px #FCC; background-color: #F8EEBC; padding: 0.5em 1em; color: #000; margin: 1.5em; width: 90%;"> [[File:Oxygen480-actions-document-close.svg|50px|left]]Your recent article submission to [[Bharatpedia:Articles for creation|Articles for Creation]] has been reviewed! Unfortunately, it has not been accepted at this time.<nowiki> </nowiki>The reason left by WikiDwarf was:

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Andhras

2026-07-09T08:06:24Z

WikiDwarf: Undo revision 551966 by 103.135.228.181 (talk)

{{Short description|Ancient non-Aryan tribe}}
{{about|the ancient tribe|the ethno-linguistic group|Telugu people|the present-day state|Andhra Pradesh}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
[[File:Late Vedic Culture (1100-500 BCE).png|thumb|272x272px|Āndhra during the late-Vedic period]]

The '''Āndhras''' were an ancient non-Aryan<ref>{{cite book|quote=In the Aitareya Brahmaņa (VII, 18), the Andhras were mentioned together with the Pundras, Sabaras, Pulindas and Mūtibas as dasyu (non-Aryan tribes) living on the borders of the land|author=Akira Shimada|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YweEJsuLNCUC|title=Early Buddhist Architecture in Context|date=9 November 2012 |page=|publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-23283-9 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2022-03-17 |title=Andhra Culture, A Synthesis |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/history/compilation/triveni-journal/d/doc68850.html |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref> tribe of south-central [[Indian subcontinent]], whose existence is attested during the [[Iron Age in India|Iron Age]]. The [[Eastern Deccan]] region inhabited by Andhras was called [[Andhradesa]]. The modern Indian state of [[Andhra Pradesh]], derives its name from this historic tribe and region.

Andhras were mentioned in [[Aitareya Brahmana]] of the [[Rigveda]] ({{Circa|800 BCE}}) as the exiled sons of the Sage [[Vishvamitra]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gopalachari. K. |url=https://archive.org/details/EarlyHistoryOfTheAndhraCountry/page/n15/mode/2up?q=andhras |title=Early History Of The Andhra Country |date=1941 |pages=15}}</ref> In the [[Mahabharata]], the infantry led by [[Satyaki]] were said to belong to the Andhra tribe. These combatants were described as being decked with ornaments, possessed of red teeth, and endued with the prowess of infuriated elephants. Attired in robes of diverse colours and smeared with powdered scents, they were armed with swords and nooses, capable of restraining mighty elephants, and remained companions in death who never deserted one another. Equipped with quivers and bearing bows, these warriors were characterised by their long locks, agreeable speech, fierce forms, and great energy.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Ganguli |first=Kesari Mohan |title=Karna Parva |url=https://www.yorku.ca/inpar/karna_ganguli.pdf |journal=In Parenthesis Publication, Sanskrit series |pages=20 |quote=Decked with ornaments, possessed of red teeth, endued with the prowess of infuriate elephants, attired in robes of diverse colours, smeared with powdered scents, armed with swords and nooses, capable of restraining mighty elephants, companions in death, and never deserting one another, equipped with quivers, bearing bows adorned with long locks, and agreeable in speech were the combatants of the infantry files led by Satyaki, belonging to the Andhra tribe, endued with fierce forms and great energy.}}</ref> Andhras were also mentioned in the [[Bhagavata Purana|Bhagavata]], [[Vayu Purana|Vayu]], [[Skanda Purana|Skanda]], [[Markandeya Purana|Markandeya]] and [[Matsya Purana|Matsya]] [[Puranas]]. [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] references to Andhras are also found.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Śrīhari |first=R. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wRAhAAAAMAAJ |title=Proceedings of the Andhra Pradesh Oriental Conference: Fourth session, Nagarjuna University, Guntur, 3rd to 5th March 1984 |date=1987-01-01 |publisher=The Conference |language=en}}</ref>

Greek historian [[Megasthenes]], in his [[Indica (Megasthenes)|''Indica'']] ({{Circa|310 BCE}}), described the Andhras as a distinct [[Race (human categorization)|race]] living in the [[Krishna River|Krishna]] and [[Godavari River|Godavari]] river [[River delta|deltas]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gopalachari |first=K. |url=http://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.17073 |title=Early History of the Andhra country |date=1941 |pages=23 |quote=Megasthenes says that the Andhras were a separate race.}}</ref> They were famous for their military strength, which was second only to that of the [[Maurya Empire|Mauryans]] in all of [[Indian subcontinent]]. They had 30 fortified towns, an army of 100,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry and 1,000 elephants.<ref name=":5">{{Cite book |last=V. D. |first=Mahajan |author-link=Vidya Dhar Mahajan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7TJlDwAAQBAJ&dq=Megasthenes+Andhras&pg=PA297 |title=Ancient India |date=2016 |publisher=[[S. Chand Group|S. Chand Publishing]] |isbn=978-93-5253-132-5 |pages=297 |language=en |quote=They were famous for their military strength which was second only to that of Chandragupta Maurya. The Andhra territory included 30 walled towns and a large number of villages. The army had 1,00,000 foot soldiers, 2,000 horsemen and 1,000 elephans.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=archive |first=From our online |date=2012-05-14 |title=5 walled cities from 300 BC unearthed |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2008/Nov/15/5-walled-cities-from-300-bc-unearthed-6961.html |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en |quote=Andhras flourished during the time of Chandragupta Maurya much before the advent of the Satavahanas, and were said to be as powerful as Mauryans. They had 30 fortified walled cities way back in 300 BC, wrote the Greek traveller Megasthenes in his Indika.}}</ref> They were also mentioned at the time of the death of the Mauryan Emperor [[Ashoka]] in 232 BCE. The [[Satavahanas]] were referred to as the Andhras, [[Andhrabhrtya|Andhra-bhṛtyas]] or Andhra-jatiyas in the Puranas.<ref>{{cite web|title=Andhra Pradesh - MSN Encarta  |url=http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761580539/andhra_pradesh.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028105629/http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761580539/Andhra_Pradesh.html |archive-date=2009-10-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Location ==
The Andhras lived in the fertile [[River delta|deltas]] formed by the [[Krishna River|Krishna]] and [[Godavari River|Godavari]] rivers.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Ancient India as described by Megasthenês and Arrian |url=https://dn720003.ca.archive.org/0/items/b29352290/b29352290.pdf |journal=[[Internet Archive]] |quote=The Andarae are readily identified with the Andhra of Sanskrit—a great and powerful nation settled originally in the Dekhan between the middle part of the courses of the Godavari and the Krishna rivers,...}}</ref> These rivers, which carried large amounts of [[silt]], created expansive and nutrient rich floodplains that enhanced the fertility of the surrounding land. [[Kolleru Lake]], located between the two river deltas, played a vital role in the region's ecology and historical development. The deltaic zone, with its exceptionally rich [[alluvial soil]]—regarded as among the most fertile in the world and abundant water resources, supported a thriving agrarian economy and facilitated the growth of prosperous towns and cities.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/dli.jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZM1k0My |title=A History of the Early Dynasties of AndhraDesa C. 200-625 A.D. : with a map of ancient Andhradesa and Daksinapatna |date=1942 |publisher=V. Ramaswami Sastrulu & sons (Madras)}}</ref> The political centre of the Andhras was ''Andhapura''.

== Hindu Texts ==
{{See also|Hindu texts}}

=== Rigveda ===
According to [[Aitareya Brahmana]] of the [[Rigveda]], the sage [[Vishvamitra]] had hundred sons; fifty of them were older than [[Madhuchhanda]], and fifty were younger. The older ones were not pleased with (the installation of Sunahsepa to the primogeniture). Visvamitra then pronounced against them a curse: “You shall have the lowest castes for your descendants. ” Therefore, are many of the most degraded classes of men, the rabble for the most part, such as the '''Andhras''', Pundras, Sabaras, [[Pulinda|Palindas]], and Mutibas, descendants of Visvamitra....”<ref>{{Cite book |last=Martin Haug |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.104262/page/n175/mode/2up?q=andhras |title=Aitareya Brahmana Of The Rigveda |date=1922 |pages=175}}</ref> All of those tribes are referred to as [[Dasa|Dasyus]], or non-Aryans living on the fringes of Aryan settlements.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bhandarkar |first=D. R. |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.csl.7014/page/n15/mode/2up?q=andhras |title=Lectures on the Ancient History of India on the period from 650 to 325 B.C. |date=1919 |publisher=University of Calcutta, Calcutta |pages=14}}</ref>

Historian [[E. J. Rapson]] notes that while Andhras were classified as 'outcasts' in the Brahmana, they likely remained Dravidian in blood and speech during this period, even as they were being integrated into the broader Indian political landscape.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rapson |first=Edward James |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.47306 |title=The Cambridge History Of India Vol. 1 |date=1922 |pages=124}}</ref>

=== Ramayana ===
The [[Ramayana]] connects the Andhras tribe with the Godavari region.
<blockquote>
''Nadlm Godavarlm caiva sarvamevanupa^yatah''<br>
''Tathaivandhramsca PundramSca cotan Pandramscaveratan''
<br>[https://archive.org/details/361952998SrimadValmikiRamayanaSanskrit1933AD/page/n3/mode/2up — Ram. Kish. Kan. 41 chap. 12.]
</blockquote>

=== Mahabharata ===

* In the [[Karna Parva]] of the [[Mahabharata]], the infantry of the [[Yadava]] chieftain [[Satyaki]] was said to be composed of the '''Andhra''' tribe, who were known for their long hair, tall stature, sweet language, and mighty prowess. These combatants were decked with ornaments, possessed red teeth, and were endued with the prowess of infuriated elephants. Attired in robes of diverse colours and smeared with powdered scents, they were armed with swords and nooses, capable of restraining mighty elephants, and remained companions even in death, never deserting one another. Equipped with quivers and bearing bows, these warriors of the Andhra tribe were characterized by their long locks, agreeable speech, fierce forms, and great energy.<ref name=":0" />
* The ''Mahabharata'' (Mbh 6.9) lists the Andhras among other notable tribes of the time: "...the Kutas, the Maheyas, the Kakshas, the Samudranishkutas; the '''Andhras'''...
* During his southern military campaign, [[Sahadeva]] subdued the '''Andhras''', Dravidas, and other southern tribes (Mbh 2.30). Later, Arjuna also encountered and subjugated the Andhras and Mahishakas during his post-[[Kurukshetra]] War conquest (Mbh 14.83).
* The '''Andhras''', along with the Kalingas, were among the tribes subdued by [[Karna]] during his southern conquest (Mbh 7.4).
* [[Krishna]] is recorded as the slayer of Chanura of the '''Andhra''' country (Mbh 13.149).
* The '''Andhras''' participated in [[Yudhishthira|Yudhishthira's]] [[Rajasuya yajna|Rajasuya Yajna]] alongside several prominent kingdoms, signifying their royal stature (Mbh 2.33).
* Alliances in the War:
** As [[Pandava]] Allies: The '''Andhras''', alongside the Dravidas and Kuntalas, were mentioned as part of the alliance supporting the Pandavas in the conversation between Krishna and Karna. (Mbh 5.140).
** As [[Kaurava]] Allies: They were also listed among the tribes supporting [[Duryodhana]] in the Kurukshetra War (Mbh 5.161–162). The message sent by Duryodhana to the Pandavas: <blockquote>''"The Kamvojas, the Sakas, the Khasas, the Salwas, the Matsyas, the Kurus of the middle country, the Mlechchhas, the Pulindas, the Dravidas, the '''Andhras''', and the Kanchis — these tribes protect my army."''</blockquote>

=== Puranas ===
* [[Bhagavata Purana|Srimada Bhagavatam]] refer to '''Andhras''', Pundras, Sabaras, Palindas, and Mutibas as [[Mleccha]].
* [[Markandeya Purana]] refers to a tribe called the Andhrarakas along with the Maulikas, [[Asmaka]]s, Bhogavardhanas, Naisikas, Kuntalas etc., as people inhabiting the Southern region.<ref>{{Cite book |last=F. Eden Pargiter |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.188841/mode/2up?q=andhras |title=Markandeya Purana |date=1904 |pages=360}}</ref>

Andhras are also mentioned in the [[Vayu Purana|Vayu]], [[Skanda Purana|Skanda]] and [[Matsya Purana]]. Buddhist references to Andhras are also found.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.98843 |title=Journal of Indian History |date=1949-01-01 |publisher=University of Kerala. |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last=Datta |first=Manmathanatha |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EmIMAAAAIAAJ |title=A Prose English Translation of the Mahabharata: (tr. Literally from the Original Sanskrit Text) |date=1897-01-01 |publisher=H.C. Dass |language=en}}</ref>

== Buddhist Texts ==
{{See also|Buddhist texts}}

Amarāvatī in Andhra Pradesh is a major site for early Buddhist sculptures, some of which depict serpent-headed figures—possibly symbolic representations. The area was also known as Nāgadeśa, and its rulers as Nāgas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rock art sites in Andhra pradesh |url=https://www.ias.ac.in/public/Resources/meetings/myrmeet/pjm1_talks/nchandramouli/img12.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ganvir |first1=Shrikant |date=2010 |title=Representation of Naga in the Buddhist Art of Amaravati: A Sculptural Analysis |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=71 |pages=1063–1071 |jstor=44147573}}</ref>

Andhra's prominence in Buddhism is supported by its numerous monastic sites and trade routes. Vengi served as a major center, connected to Kaliṅga, Draviḍa, Kārṇāṭa, Maharāṣṭra, and Kosala.

== Early history ==
Greek historian [[Megasthenes]] reported in his [[Indica (Megasthenes)|''Indica'']] ({{Circa|303 BCE}}) that Andhras were living in the [[Godavari River|Godavari]] and [[Krishna River|Krishna]] river deltas and were famous for their military strength which was second only to [[Maurya Empire|Mauryans]] in all of [[Indian subcontinent|India]]. They had 30 fortified towns along the Godavari River and an army of 100,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry and 1,000 elephants.<ref name=":5" /> Indica states that Andhra was a great and powerful nation settled originally in the Deccan between the lower Godavari and Krishna region, and had spread their sway towards the north as far as tho upper course of tho [[Narmada River|Narmada]], before the time of Megasthenes.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mccrindle |first=J. W. |url=https://archive.org/details/AncientIndiaAsDescribedByMegasthenesAndArrianByMccrindleJ.W/page/n141/mode/2up?q=andhra |title=Ancient India As Described By Megasthenes And Arrian by Mccrindle, J. W |pages=147 |language=English}}</ref>

The earliest epigraphic mention of the Andhra people is made in the Edicts of [[Ashoka]], Andhras along with [[Pulinda]]s were mentioned as border people. Andhras were also mentioned at the time of the death of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in 232 BCE. The [[Satavahanas]] were referred to as the Andhras, [[Andhrabhrtya|Andhra-bhṛtyas]] or Andhra-jatiyas in the Puranas.<ref>{{cite web|title=Andhra Pradesh - MSN Encarta  |url=http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761580539/andhra_pradesh.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028105629/http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761580539/Andhra_Pradesh.html |archive-date=2009-10-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<blockquote>
''9. hidā laja viśavashi Yona Kambojeshu Nabhaka Nabhapamtishu Bhoja Pitinikyeshu''<br>
''10. Adha Paladeshu shavata Devānampiyashā dhammanushathi anuvatamti[] yata pi dutā''
<br>[https://archive.org/details/InscriptionsOfAsoka.NewEditionByE.Hultzsch/page/n186/mode/1up?view=theater — Ashoka, Rock Edict 13, Kalsi Rock, South Portion]

<br>
'''Translation''' : Likewise here in the king's (Ashoka ) territory, among the Yonas and Kambojas, among the Nabhakas and Nabhapamkits, among the Bhojas and the Pitinikas, among the '''Andhras''' and the Pulinda, everywhere (people) are conforming to Ashoka instruction in morality.
</blockquote>

[[File:India 2nd century AD.jpg|270x270px|thumb|[[Andhra Kingdom]]|alt=]]

=== Andhra dynasty ===
Following the decline of the [[Maurya Empire]] and during the [[Shunga Empire|Shunga]] period, the southern tribes, previously described as "unsubdued" in Ashokan edicts, united under a centralised Andhra leadership. [[E. J. Rapson]] suggests this consolidation in the [[River delta|deltas]] between the Godavari and Krishna rivers laid the foundation for the rise of the [[Satavahana dynasty]], also referred to as ''[[Andhrabhrtya|Andhra-bhṛtyas]]'' or ''Andhra-jatiyas''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rapson |first=Edward James |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.47306 |title=The Cambridge History Of India Vol. 1 |date=1922}}</ref>

The first major Andhra [[polity]] in the [[Indian subcontinent]] were the Satavahanas, which ruled over the entire [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan plateau]] and established trade relations with the [[Roman Empire]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wolpert |first=Stanley A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QSZuAAAAMAAJ&q=Andhra |title=A new history of India |date=1989 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-505636-5 |edition=3rd |location=New York |pages=75, 76 |language=en |quote=Apparently originating somewhere between the peninsular rivers Godavari and Krishna, homeland of the Dravidian Telugu-speaking peoples whose descendants now live in a state called Andhra, the great Andhra dynasty spread across much of south and central India from the second century BC till the second century AD.}}</ref> Most modern scholars believe that the Satavahana rule began in the late second century BCE and lasted until the early third century CE, although some assign the beginning of their rule to as early as the 3rd century BCE based on the [[Puranas]]. Various [[Puranas]] give different lists of the Satavahana rulers. The first king of the Andhra-Bhrityas is also known as Shudraka or Suraka in the ''Kumarika Khanda'' of ''[[Skanda Purana]].''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kr̥shṇājī Pāṇḍuraṅga Kulakarṇī |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0CAPAAAAMAAJ |title=Sanskrit Drama & Dramatists: Their Chronology, Mind and Art |year=1927}}</ref> The ''[[Matsya Purana]]'' states that 30 Andhra kings ruled for 460 years, but some of its manuscripts name only 19 kings whose reigns add up to 448.5 years. The''[[Vayu Purana]]'' also mentions that there were 30 Andhra kings.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Madhukar Keshav |first=Dhavalikar |date=1996 |title=Sātavāhana Chronology: A Re-examination |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41702166 |journal= Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute|volume=77 |issue=1/4 |pages=133–140|jstor=41702166 }}</ref>

The word Andhras was observed from Udyotana's description of "those with beautiful bodies, who love women and war alike, and are great consumers of food" in 779 CE.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Verma |first1=C.B. |last2=Varma |first2=C.B. |date=2002 |title=The Prakrit Bloom |journal=Indian Literature |volume=46 |issue=1 |pages=139–149 |jstor=23344538}}</ref> The references to Andhra also comes from the [[Jataka tales]] and the [[Pallava dynasty|Pallava]] inscriptions as Andhapatham and Andhakas, referring to the region and its people respectively.<ref>Parallels for Ja 512#4 Kumbhajātaka (Ja v 14): Kv 1.1#355-#356 (Kv 1)
Retrieved from https://suttacentral.net/ja512/en/francis on Wed 3 Mar 2021 13:08:55 GMT+0530 (India Standard Time).</ref>

==See also==
* [[History of Andhra Pradesh]]
* [[Kingdoms of Ancient India]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
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Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom

2026-07-09T07:51:05Z

WikiDwarf: Cleaning up accepted Articles for creation submission

{{Short description|none}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}

'''Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom''' includes the proliferation of indecent images, online exploitation, transnational abuse, and contact abuse. Efforts to prevent [[child sexual abuse]] include providing information to children and parents, and disrupting abusive situations. Perpetrators may act alone or as part of a group or street gang, and may either exploit vulnerabilities in children and young people or have long-standing sexual attraction to children. Underreporting of child sexual abuse and low conviction rates remain barriers to justice, among other factors. In the UK, high-profile media coverage of child sexual abuse has often focused on cases of institutional and celebrity abuse, as well as offences committed by [[Child sex ring|organized groups of sexual abusers]].

Child sexual abuse has been reported in the country throughout its history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.historyandpolicy.org/policy-papers/papers/child-welfare-child-protection-and-sexual-abuse-1918-1990|title=Child welfare, child protection and sexual abuse, 1918-1990|last=Delap|first=Lucy|date=30 July 2015|website=History & Policy|access-date=19 July 2016|archive-date=19 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160719030746/http://www.historyandpolicy.org/policy-papers/papers/child-welfare-child-protection-and-sexual-abuse-1918-1990|url-status=live}}</ref> In about 90% of cases the abuser is a person known to the child.<ref name="nspcc_1" /> From the second half of the twentieth century, cases involving religious institutions,<ref name=sherwood /> schools,<ref>{{cite news |title=Teacher guilty of sexually abusing pupil |url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/teacher-guilty-of-sexually-abusing-pupil-1-87037 |work=[[East Anglian Daily Times]] |date=9 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702004511/https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/teacher-guilty-of-sexually-abusing-pupil-1-87037 |archive-date=2 July 2019 |url-status = live|language=en}}</ref> popular entertainers,<ref name="Harris guilty">{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/world/rolf-harris-guilty-the-moment-on-the-witness-stand-he-came-closest-to-convicting-himself-20140701-zsrij.html|title=Rolf Harris guilty: The moment on the witness stand he came closest to convicting himself|date=1 July 2014|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=1 July 2014|archive-date=30 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630183900/http://www.smh.com.au/world/rolf-harris-guilty-the-moment-on-the-witness-stand-he-came-closest-to-convicting-himself-20140701-zsrij.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="glitter 16 years">{{cite news | url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31657929 | title= Gary Glitter jailed for 16 years | work= BBC News | date= 27 February 2015 | access-date= 6 March 2015 | archive-date= 8 March 2015 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150308101816/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31657929 | url-status= live }}</ref> politicians,<ref name=GuardJul614>{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jul/06/child-abuse-coverup-1980s-lord-tebbit |title= Tebbit hints at political cover-up over child abuse in 1980s |author= Boffey, Daniel |work=The Guardian |location= London |date=6 July 2014 |access-date=6 July 2014}}</ref> military personnel, and other officials have been widely publicised. Since the start of the 21st century, media coverage and political discourse has also increasingly covered child abuse rings or "grooming gangs" operating in towns and cities across the UK, most notably in what is now known as the [[grooming gangs scandal]].<ref name="scandals and silences">Adrian Bingham and Louise Settle. [https://www.historyandpolicy.org/policy-papers/papers/scandals-and-silences-the-british-press-and-child-sexual-abuse Scandals and silences: the British press and child sexual abuse], in ''History & Policy''. (4 August 2015)</ref> Efforts to protect children from sexual abuse were recorded as early as the 11th century.<ref name="Walker 2021 p. 22" /> Investigation and prevention of child sex abuse were impaired in the 21st century due to the impact of the [[United Kingdom government austerity programme#Effects|government austerity programme]].<ref name="observer21/10/2018" />

In 2012, celebrity [[Jimmy Savile]] was [[:wikt:posthumous|posthumous]]ly identified as a prolific child sexual abuser over the previous six decades. Subsequent investigations, including those of [[Operation Yewtree]], led to the conviction of several prominent "household names" in the media, allegations against prominent politicians, and calls for a public inquiry to establish what had been known by those responsible for the institutions where abuse had taken place. In July 2014, an [[Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse]] was announced by [[Theresa May]], then British [[Home Secretary]], to examine how the country's institutions have handled their [[Duty of care in English law|duty of care]] to protect children from sexual abuse.<ref name=BBCJul814>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28203914|title=Ex-senior judge Butler-Sloss to head child sex abuse inquiry|publisher=[[BBC News Online]]|date=8 July 2014|access-date=12 July 2014|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507123219/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28203914|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Categories of child sexual abuse==
The [[Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command]] identify four broad categories of child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom, which they describe as the four "key threats" to children.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}
*'''The proliferation of indecent images of children''' – particularly the production of still, moving and live-streaming of child abuse images. Live streaming of abuse of third world children for consumption by UK paedophiles is increasing. Perpetrators are being increasingly found and brought to justice. Tracking down and safeguarding third world child victims is more difficult.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}
*'''Online child sexual exploitation''' – with a focus on the systematic sexual exploitation of multiple child victims on the internet.
*'''Transnational child sexual abuse''' – including both transient and resident UK nationals and British citizens committing sexual offences abroad.
*'''Contact child sexual abuse''' – including the threat posed by organised crime-associated child sexual exploitation and the risks around missing children.

Within the category of contact sexual abuse, there are a number of recognised types. Firstly, contact child sexual abuse by lone offenders. Secondly, contact child sexual abuse by group offenders and offending associated with street gangs, of which there are two types.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/may/14/children-risk-images-abuse-online|title=Children put at risk by rise in images of abuse online, say investigators|first=Sandra|last=Laville|date=14 May 2013|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-date=22 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622004940/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/may/14/children-risk-images-abuse-online|url-status=live}}</ref> Within the group category, authorities describe two broad types:
* '''Type 1:''' Group offending targeting victim vulnerability. This includes street grooming gangs.
* '''Type 2:''' Group offending as a result of a specific sexual interest in children. This group have a long-standing sexual interest in children with some having a synergy with what has been described as a paedophile "ring".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.norfolklscb.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/CEOP_Threat-Assessment_CSE_JUN2013.pdf|title=Threat Assessment of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse|publisher=[[Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command]]|date=June 2013|page=19|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112013711/https://www.norfolklscb.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/CEOP_Threat-Assessment_CSE_JUN2013.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Statistics==
The [[National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse]] (2025) said that around 500,000 children a year are likely to experience child sexual abuse of any kind in the UK, with one in five (100,000) incidents reported. Of the reported offences, 60% (60,000) are contact offences and 40% online. Of the contact offences, 28.5% (17,100) are flagged as child sexual exploitation.<ref name="Casey audit">{{Cite web |last=Casey |first=Louise |date=16 June 2025 |title=National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-audit-on-group-based-child-sexual-exploitation-and-abuse |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref>

In the UK, a 2010 study estimated prevalence at about 5% for boys and 18% for girls<ref>{{cite web |title=Child abuse and neglect in the UK today |url=http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/research/findings/child_abuse_neglect_research_PDF_wdf84181.pdf |work=NSPCC |author1=Radford |author2=Lorraine |author3=Corral |author4=Susana |author5=Bradley |author6=Christine |author7=Fisher |author8=Helen |author9=Bassett |author10=Claire |author11=Howat |author12=Nick |author13=Collishaw |author14=Stephan |year=2011 |page=5 |access-date=2011-10-29 |archive-date=2014-08-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140816090004/http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/research/findings/child_abuse_neglect_research_PDF_wdf84181.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> (not dissimilar to a 1985 study that estimated about 8% for boys and 12% for girls).<ref name="Baker">{{Cite journal|last= Baker |first= AW |author2=Duncan, SP |year= 1985 |title= Child sexual abuse: a study of prevalence in Great Britain |journal= Child Abuse & Neglect |volume= 9| issue= 4 |pages= 457–67 |pmid = 4084825 |doi= 10.1016/0145-2134(85)90054-7}}</ref> Figures from 2009 to 2010 suggest girls are six times more likely to be assaulted than boys with 86% of attacks taking place against them.<ref name="64 crimes a day">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-13542007 "NSPCC says child sex abuse has risen to 64 crimes a day"] ''BBC News''. 26 May 2011. Retrieved February 4, 2012.</ref><ref name="60 offences">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8477726.stm "60 sex offences against children a day – NSPCC"] ''BBC News''. 25 January 2010. Retrieved February 4, 2012.</ref> In 2014, the charity [[Barnardo's]] published a report that estimated that during 2008–2013, two thirds of victims were girls and one third were boys. Barnardo's were concerned that male victims may be overlooked.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28935733|title=Barnardo's: Sexual exploitation of boys 'overlooked'|newspaper=BBC News|access-date=23 March 2015|date=2014-08-27|last1=Malik|first1=Zubeida}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Cockbain |first1=Ella |last2=Brayley |first2=Helen |last3=Ashby |first3=Matthew |title=Not just a girl thing A large-scale comparison of male and female users of child sexual exploitation services in the UK |url=https://www.barnardos.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-12/not-just-a-girl-thing.pdf |publisher=Barnados |access-date=17 January 2025 |date=August 2014}}</ref> In 2020, the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse said professionals faced difficulties "in identifying sexual abuse and acting on concerns about children from minority ethnic backgrounds".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.csacentre.org.uk/research-resources/research-evidence/scale-nature-of-abuse/trends-in-official-data/ |title=Trends in official data}}</ref>

===Recorded offences===
Reports of child sex abuse have increased in the UK. This may, in part, be due to greater willingness to report – between October 2013 and December 2017, reports to child protection experts had increased by 700%. The NSPCC reported a 31% increase between 2016 and 2017 alone.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/dec/29/estimated-20000-british-men-interested-in-sexually-abusing-children-police-chief-says Estimated 20,000 British men interested in sexually abusing children] ''[[The Guardian]]''</ref> Between 2009 and 2010, more than 23,000 offences were recorded by the UK police.<ref name="60 offences"/><ref name="64 crimes a day"/> This number had almost doubled by 2016–17.<ref name="Bentley"/> The true number of offences remains doubtful, and is generally assumed to be larger, due to expected underreporting.<ref>{{cite news |title=Why Does So Much Abuse of Children Go Unreported? |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/peter-watt/child-abuse-goes-unreported-nspcc_b_1374640.html |date=26 March 2012 |work=Huffington Post |access-date=30 January 2014 |archive-date= 3 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203035542/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/peter-watt/child-abuse-goes-unreported-nspcc_b_1374640.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Some 90% of the sexually abused children were abused by people who they knew, and about one out of every three abused children did not tell anyone else about it.<ref name="nspcc_1">{{cite web |url=http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/research/statistics/prevalence_and_incidence_of_child_abuse_and_neglect_wda48740.html |title=Incidence and prevalence of child abuse and neglect |work=NSPCC |access-date=30 January 2014 |archive-date=2 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702214438/http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/research/statistics/prevalence_and_incidence_of_child_abuse_and_neglect_wda48740.html |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''England''': In 2016–17 there were 43,522 recorded sexual offences against children under 16 years old, and a further 11,324 offences against young people aged over 16 and under 18. Police recorded 6,009 rapes of children aged under 13 years, and 6,299 rapes of children under 16 years.<ref name="Bentley">{{Cite book|author=Bentley, H.|display-authors=et al|year=2018|title=How safe are our children? The most comprehensive overview of child protection in the UK 2018|location=London|publisher=[[NSPCC]]|pages=29–31}}</ref>
* '''Wales''': In 2016–17 there were 2,845 recorded sexual offences against children under 16 years old. Police recorded 446 rapes of children aged under 13 years, and 340 rapes of children under 16 years.<ref name=Bentley/>
* '''Scotland''': In 2016–17 there were 4,097 recorded sexual offences against children under 16 years old. Police recorded 196 rapes and attempted rapes of children aged 13–15 years, and 161 rapes and attempted rapes of children under 13 years.<ref name=Bentley/>
* '''Northern Ireland''': In 2016–17 there were 1,875 recorded sexual offences against children and young people under 18 years old. Police recorded 360 rapes and attempted rapes of children and young people aged under 18 years.<ref name=Bentley/>

===Offender demographics===
The vast majority of child sex offenders in England and Wales are male, with men representing 82% of perpetrators of child sexual abuse and 90% of "contact" child sexual abuse in 2023.<ref name="Dunford 2025" /> A 2025 report by the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse said that the ethnic background of offenders was recorded in 69% of cases, of which 90% were white, 5% were Asian, 2% were Black, 2% were from mixed ethnic backgrounds and 1% were from "other" ethnic backgrounds.<ref>{{cite report |last1=Kewley |first1=Stephanie |last2=Karsna |first2=Kairika |title=Child Sexual Abuse in 2023/24: Trends in Official Data |doi=10.47117/IZAK2457 |date=2025 |url=https://www.csacentre.org.uk/app/uploads/2025/03/Child-sexual-abuse-in-2023-24-Trends-in-official-data.pdf |location=Barkingside |publisher=Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse}}</ref> The Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse used statistics from the Ministry of Justice which show that white offenders are disproportionately over-represented in the numbers of defendants when compared to the 2021 Census which shows whites make up 81.7% of the general population in England and Wales, 9.3% identify as Asian, 4% identify as black, 2.2% identify as mixed race and 1% identify as 'other'.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/culturalidentity/ethnicity/bulletins/ethnicgroupenglandandwales/census2021 | title=Ethnic group, England and Wales - Office for National Statistics }}</ref>

According to the Ministry of Justice's prison population statistics, there were 8,345 convictions for child sexual abuse offences in 2020. Of this number, 43 did not have their ethnicity recorded. Of those with recorded ethnicity, white prisoners were the majority with a total of 7,353. 464 were Asian, 310 were black and 175 were mixed and "other".<ref>[https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/902705/FOI_200611019_sex_offenders__including_CSA__prison_population_by_ethnicity.doc 2006 Sex Offenders including CSA Prison population by ethnicity] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521152208/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/902705/FOI_200611019_sex_offenders__including_CSA__prison_population_by_ethnicity.doc |date=21 May 2023 }}</ref> Of those with recorded ethnicity, white prisoners were disproportionately over-represented per capita. 88.5% were white, 5.5% were Asian, 4% were black and 2% were mixed/other.

In 2023, 115,489 child sexual abuse and exploitation crimes were recorded. Most cases of abuse occurred within the family or were committed by other children. Group-based child sexual exploitation accounted for 4,228 offences (3.7% of all cases), of which three-quarters involved two perpetrators and two-thirds involved direct contact (rather than occurring online). More than half of all group-based crimes were committed by other children and young people (57%): 9% of offenders were aged 9 or younger, 48% were aged 10–17, and the remaining 43% were adults. 717 (17%) were conducted by organised networks of criminals (so-called "grooming gangs").<ref name="p178">{{cite web | title='Anybody can be a victim': what do UK grooming gangs look like today? | website=Financial Times | date=10 January 2025 | url=https://www.ft.com/content/c379bdb3-25fa-4554-b045-51ef3e53abae | access-date=4 July 2025}}</ref><ref name="Hymas 2025">{{Cite news |last=Hymas |first=Charles |date=2025-01-10 |title=Pakistanis up to four times more likely to be behind grooming |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/10/pakistanis-four-times-more-likely-grooming/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref name="Dunford 2025">{{Cite web |last=Dunford |first=Daniel |title=Child sex abuse and grooming gangs: What we know, and what we don't, from the data |url=https://news.sky.com/story/child-sex-abuse-and-grooming-gangs-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-from-the-data-13285420 |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref>

==Sexual abuse prevention==
{{Update|section|reason=Needs update to cover time between 11th century and 2023, as well as 2023 to present|date=January 2024}}
In the 11th century, surviving ordinances of [[Canterbury Cathedral]] revealed that a process was in place to minimise opportunities for clergy guilty of past abuses to engage in further illicit sexual activities with minors.<ref name="Walker 2021 p. 22">{{cite book | last=Walker | first=S. | title=Children Forsaken: Child Abuse from Ancient to Modern Times | publisher=Critical Publishing | year=2021 | isbn=978-1-913453-83-1 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8So1EAAAQBAJ&pg=PT22 | access-date=2023-03-14 | page=22 | archive-date=14 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314215517/https://books.google.com/books?id=8So1EAAAQBAJ&pg=PT22 | url-status=live }}</ref> Several organisations in the United Kingdom work towards the goal of preventing sexual abuse, such as the [[NSPCC|National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)]] and the Lucy Faithfull Foundation. Prevention initiatives have traditionally involved providing information to children and parents about sexual abuse and how to prevent it. Other forms of prevention involve disruption activities where the children can be removed from the family home or area in which they are living, or work can be done to make it more difficult for people to sexually abuse children.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Protecting children from sexual abuse |url=https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-abuse-and-neglect/child-sexual-abuse |access-date=2026-05-10 |website=NSPCC Learning |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=lff_dev |date=2024-02-02 |title=Situational prevention: the practical approach to preventing child sexual abuse |url=https://www.lucyfaithfull.org.uk/situational-prevention-the-practical-approach-to-preventing-child-sexual-abuse/ |access-date=2026-05-10 |website=Lucy Faithfull Foundation |language=en-GB}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

===Barriers to prevention===
[[United Kingdom government austerity programme#Effects|Austerity]] led to cuts in policing so that the police no longer have the resources to investigate possible offences satisfactorily, or to safeguard potential victims. [[Nazir Afzal]] (formerly the Crown Prosecution Service lead on child sexual abuse and violence against women and girls) said, "Austerity has come at the wrong time. When finally voices are being heard, finally authorities are beginning to do their job properly and finally the NGO sector are being listened to, there isn't any money to go around. They are doing this with one hand behind their back. As a consequence, clearly people will not get justice".<ref name="observer21/10/2018">[https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/oct/21/austerity-harms-hunt-sexual-abuse-gangs-nazir-afzal Austerity harms hunt for sexual abuse gangs, says ex-prosecutor] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021113144/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/oct/21/austerity-harms-hunt-sexual-abuse-gangs-nazir-afzal |date=21 October 2018 }} ''[[The Observer]]''</ref> Nazir Afzal has also expressed concern that there are few prosecutions of grooming gangs in the south of England, fearing people in the south are not looking hard enough. Afzal said,<blockquote>The perceptions is that northern towns and the Midlands have got a better handle on it, but London, the south-east, the south-west really are not focusing on it and claiming they don't have any problems. ... There have been hardly any cases south of Birmingham. What the hell is going on? Is it because there is no problem? I don't accept that at all. Is it because it's not a priority? I hope that's not true. I do think it's that thing about not turning over a stone.<ref name="observer21/10/2018"/></blockquote>

In 2019, a BBC investigation reported that some privately run sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) were failing to examine young people who had experienced sexual assault in a timely fashion, jeopardising their ability to record forensic evidence. Victims' Commissioner [[Helen Newlove, Baroness Newlove|Baroness Newlove]] said the failures were "shocking".<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-01-08 |title=Sexual assault forensics centres failing some victims |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45335980 |access-date=2025-01-09 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In 2023 [[Stephen Cottrell]], [[archbishop of York]], said that there was a crisis of safeguarding within the [[Church of England]], due to church-related abuse. He said: "I imagine Jesus weeps over this situation ... And I know many of us are not far from those tears as well."<ref name=sherwood>{{cite news | last=Sherwood | first=Harriet | title=Safeguarding in 'crisis' in Church of England, says archbishop of York | newspaper=The Guardian | date=9 July 2023 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/09/safeguarding-crisis-church-of-england-archbishop-of-york | access-date=9 July 2023 | archive-date=9 July 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709211504/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/09/safeguarding-crisis-church-of-england-archbishop-of-york | url-status=live }}</ref>

In November 2024, the U.K. government published the ''National review into child sexual abuse within the family environment,'' which sought to look at the "identification, assessment, and response to child sexual abuse within the family environment". It examined local child safeguarding practice reviews (LCSPRs), as well as 136 serious child safeguarding incidents and 41 serious case reviews (SCRs) related to these incidents to set out guidelines for local and national governments, as well as safeguarding partners across the country. The review said that there were "significant and long-standing issues" in reporting child sexual abuse within families, with children affected "frequently not being identified by practitioners" and not "receiving the response needed for their ongoing safety and recovery".<ref>{{Cite web |title=National review into child sexual abuse within the family environment |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-review-into-child-sexual-abuse-within-the-family-environment |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref>

==Law and policy==
The United Kingdom rewrote its criminal code in the [[Sexual Offences Act 2003]]. This Act includes definitions and penalties for child sexual abuse offences, and (so far as relating to offences) applies to [[England]] and [[Wales]] and [[Northern Ireland]]. The [[Scottish Law Commission]] published its review of [[rape]] and sexual offences in December 2007, which includes a similar consolidation and codification of child sexual abuse offences in Scotland.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

In 2021, the government published its Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Strategy, which focussed on new technologies and legislation to prevent and police abuse.<ref name="Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Strategy">{{Cite web |date=2021-06-07 |title=Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Strategy |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling-child-sexual-abuse-strategy |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Priti Patel publishes new strategy to protect children from sexual abuse |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/priti-patel-publishes-new-strategy-to-protect-children-from-sexual-abuse |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref>

==Grooming gangs==
{{Main|Grooming gangs scandal}}

{{Excerpt|Grooming gangs scandal|only=paragraphs}}

== Inquiries ==

=== Butler-Sloss Inquiry ===
{{See also|Cleveland child abuse scandal}}
In 1987, a wave of suspected child sexual abuse cases were reported in [[Cleveland (county)|Cleveland, England]], many of which were later discredited.<ref name=Webmag>{{cite news|last1=Charles|first1=Pragnell|title=The Cleveland Sexual Abuse Scandal|url=http://www.davidlane.org/children/choct2002/choct2002/pragnell%20cleveland%20abuse.html|accessdate=July 21, 2014|publisher=Children Webmag}}</ref> From February to July 1987, many children living in Cleveland were removed from their homes by social service agencies and diagnosed as sexually abused. The 121 diagnoses were made by two [[pediatrics|paediatricians]] at a Middlesbrough hospital, Marietta Higgs and Geoffrey Wyatt, using [[reflex anal dilation]] for diagnosis (later discredited).<ref name="Gazette">{{cite news|url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-news/20-years-cleveland-child-sex-3729871 |title=20 years on from the Cleveland Child Sex Abuse Scandal |newspaper=GazetteLive |date=8 July 2008}}</ref>

When there were not enough foster homes in which to place the children, social services began to house the children in a ward at the local hospital. Later, the test used to establish child abuse was contested by the area police surgeon, and cooperation between the social workers, police and hospital doctors involved in diagnosis began to disintegrate. There was public concern regarding the practices being used by the local social service agency, such as the removal of children from their homes in the middle of the night. In May 1987, parents marched from the hospital where their children were being held to the local newspaper. The resulting media coverage caused the social service agency's practices to receive public scrutiny and criticism. Controversy increased when [[Anthony Hollis|Mr Justice Hollis]] ruled that 19 of 20 children who had been made wards of the court should be returned to their parents due to the weakness of the medical evidence.<ref name=Webmag/>

In response, the Butler-Sloss report was commissioned by the Secretary of State for Social Services in July 1987 and published in 1988. The report, led by Dame [[Elizabeth Butler-Sloss]], concluded that most of the diagnoses were incorrect.<ref name="Gazette"/> Ninety-four of the 121 children were returned to their homes.<ref name="Gazette"/><ref>Staff writer, [http://www.childrenwebmag.com/articles/key-child-care-texts/the-cleveland-reportby-judge-elizabeth-butler-sloss The Cleveland Report] digest by Robert Shaw, Children Webmag 2011, accessed July 17, 2014</ref> An editorial in ''[[The Lancet]]'' concluded: "By their bull-headed approach, Dr Higgs and Dr Wyatt ... have set back the cause they sought to promote". In July 1988, six MPs tabled a House of Commons motion for charges of indecent assault and conspiracy to be brought against Higgs and Wyatt.<ref name="times1988">{{cite news|title=Cleveland doctors defended|work=[[The Times]]|location=London|date=15 July 1988}}</ref>

On 14 October 1991, the [[Children Act 1989]] was implemented in full as a result of the Cleveland child abuse scandal and other child related events that preceded it.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pragnall|first1=Charles|title=Torn from their mothers' arms What are social workers for? Charles Pragnell considers some disturbing cases|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/torn-from-their-mothers-arms-what-are-social-workers-for-charles-pragnell-considers-some-disturbing-cases-1389422.html|accessdate=July 17, 2014|work=The Independent|date=December 13, 2014}}</ref><ref name=Webmag/>

=== Northern Ireland Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry ===
{{Main|Northern Ireland Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry}}

The 2014–2016 '''Northern Ireland Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry''', often referred to as the '''HIA Inquiry''',<ref name=nihia>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hiainquiry.org/|title=Home page|website=Historical institutional Abuse Inquiry|date=30 June 2017}}</ref> is the largest inquiry into historical institutional [[Child abuse|sexual and physical abuse of children]] in Northern Ireland legal history. Its remit covered institutions in [[Northern Ireland]] that provided residential care for children from 1922 to 1995,<ref name=abusebackground>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-25637486|title=NI abuse inquiry - the background|date=13 January 2014|website=BBC News}}</ref> but excluded most church-run schools.<ref name=faq>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hiainquiry.org/frequently-asked-questions|title=Frequently asked questions|date=October 7, 2015|website=Historical institutional Abuse Inquiry}}</ref>

The inquiry concluded its hearings on 8 July 2016 and released its report on 20 January 2017.<ref name=reportannounce>{{cite web |url=https://www.hiainquiry.org/ |title=The Historical institutional Abuse Inquiry|website=Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry|date=20 January 2017 |author=Sir Anthony Hart, Chairman}}</ref><ref name="HIA report">{{cite report|url=https://www.hiainquiry.org/historical-institutional-abuse-inquiry-report-chapters |title=Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry - Report |website=Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry|date=20 January 2017|isbn=978-1-908820-91-4}}</ref> In October 2019 the House of Lords passed the Historical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) Bill<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2019/31/enacted |title=Historical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) Act 2019 |website=Legislation.gov.uk |date=2019 |access-date= 7 April 2020}}</ref> "to establish the Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Board and confer an entitlement to compensation...", and it was passed by the House of Commons as one of its last acts before the [[2019 United Kingdom general election]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2019-10-31|title=31 October 2019 |website=UK Parliament - House of Lords Hansard }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-50296081|title=MPs pass long-awaited abuse compensation bill|first=Jayne|last=McCormack|date=5 November 2019|website=BBC News}}</ref>

On 11 March 2022 ministers from the five main political parties in Northern Ireland and six abusing institutions made statements of apology in the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]]. A typical apology was "Today we, as representatives of the state, say that we are sorry ... that the state's systems failed to protect you from abuse".<ref name=sorry>{{Cite news |title=Abuse survivors hear Stormont public apology |last1=McCormack |first1=Jayne |last2=Andrews |first2=Chris |work=BBC News |date=11 March 2022 |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-60676276}}</ref> BBC News reported that Jon McCourt from Survivors North West said "If what happened today was the best that the church could offer by way of an apology they failed miserably. There was no emotion, there was no ownership. ... I don't believe that the church and institutions atoned today." He called on the intuitions to "do the right thing" and contribute to the redress fund for survivors, saying that institutions have done similar for people in Scotland.<ref name=sorrylive>{{Cite news |title=Abuse survivors apology delivered at Stormont (reported live)| last1 = Connolly | first1 = Gráinne| last2 = Glynn | first2 = Niall| last3 = McCauley | first3 = Ciaran|website=BBC News |date=11 March 2022 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-northern-ireland-60665887?post=asset%3A589dd8ae-9fc5-4347-8030-e1f1d857b74f#post }}</ref> A board was set to represent all six institutions with a view to paying compensation to abuse victims. {{As of|2025|January|bare=yes}}, four of the six institutions had taken no action towards making payments.<ref>McCormack, Jayne. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-68818566 "Barnardo's and the Good Shepherd Sisters to make abuse payment."] ''BBC News.'' Published 16 April 2024. Accessed 10 January 2025.</ref>

===Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse===
{{Main|Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse}}

The ''Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse'' (IICSA)<ref name="law gazette">{{cite web | title= Abuse inquiry: breaking with tradition |url= http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/analysis/comment-and-opinion/abuse-inquiry-breaking-with-tradition/5050049.article| author=Joshua Rozenberg|date= 20 July 2015 | website= Law Gazette | access-date=20 July 2015}}</ref> in [[England and Wales]] was an inquiry examining how the country's institutions handled their [[Duty of care in English law|duty of care]] to protect children from sexual abuse. It was announced by the British [[Home Secretary]], [[Theresa May]], on 7 July 2014.<ref name="BBCJul814" /> It was set up after investigations in 2012 and 2013 into the [[Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal]] revealed widespread abuse, including historic claims (spanning several decades) against prominent media and political figures, and inadequate [[safeguarding]] by institutions and organisations. Originally the inquiry was intended to be a Panel Inquiry supported by experts, similar to the [[Hillsborough Independent Panel]].<ref name="Exaro">{{cite news |url=http://www.exaronews.com/articles/5274/mps-call-on-theresa-may-to-set-up-inquiry-into-child-sex-abuse|title=MPs call on Theresa May to set up inquiry into child sex abuse|publisher=Exaro|date=3 June 2014|access-date=19 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="telegraph290614">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/jimmy-savile/10933200/Jimmy-Savile-pressure-grows-for-full-inquiry-into-historic-child-abuse.html |title=Jimmy Savile: pressure grows for full inquiry into historic child abuse |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=29 June 2014 |access-date=12 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="guardian041114">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/nov/04/child-abuse-inquiry-victims-theresa-may|title=In this child abuse inquiry, the victims must be heard. But it may be too late |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=19 November 2014|access-date=19 November 2014}}</ref> After numerous objections related to the panel's scope and its independence from those being investigated, and the resignation of its first two intended chairs, the inquiry was reconstituted in February 2015 as a [[statutory inquiry]] under the [[Inquiries Act 2005]], giving it greatly increased powers to compel [[sworn testimony]] and to examine [[classified information]].<ref name="indy070714">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-announces-details-of-independent-inquiry-into-paedophile-network-claims-9590545.html|title=Theresa May announces details of independent inquiry into paedophile network claims |work=[[The Independent]] |location=London |date=7 July 2014|access-date=12 July 2014}}</ref>

The first two chairs appointed to the original panel inquiry were [[Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, Baroness Butler-Sloss|Baroness Butler-Sloss]] (appointed 8 July 2014, stepped down 14 July 2014)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28203914|title=Ex-senior judge Butler-Sloss to head child sex abuse inquiry|date=8 July 2014|work=BBC News}}</ref><ref name=bbc140714>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-28295282|title=Butler-Sloss steps down from child abuse inquiry|work=[[BBC News Online]]|date=14 July 2014|access-date=14 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28291275|title=Butler-Sloss urged to stand aside from abuse inquiry|date=14 July 2014|work=BBC News}}</ref> and [[Fiona Woolf]] (appointed 5 September 2014, stepped down 31 October 2014).<ref name="bbc050914">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29076504|title=Lord Mayor Fiona Woolf to lead child abuse inquiry|work=[[BBC News Online]]|date=5 September 2014|access-date=5 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-29853002|title = Fiona Woolf resigns as head of child abuse inquiry|date = 31 October 2014|access-date = 31 October 2014}}</ref><ref name="BBC-21-Oct-2014">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29703282|title=Abuse inquiry head Fiona Woolf defends Lord Brittan links |author= |date= 21 October 2014 |website=BBC News | access-date= 21 October 2014 }}</ref> The reasons for their withdrawal in each case were objections related to their perceived closeness to individuals and establishments which would be investigated. On 4 February 2015, May announced that the inquiry would be chaired by [[Dame (title)|Dame]] [[Lowell Goddard]], a [[New Zealand High Court]] judge who had no ties to the UK bodies and persons likely to be investigated, and the existing panel was disbanded.<ref name="BBC News 4 February 2015">{{cite web | title= New Zealand judge Lowell Goddard to lead abuse inquiry |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31130805| author=|date= 4 February 2015 | website= BBC News | access-date=5 February 2015}}</ref><ref name=criteria>[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-inquiry-into-child-sexual-abuse-criteria-for-chair-and-panel Independent inquiry into child sexual abuse: criteria for chair and panel, ''Gov.uk'', 4 February 2015]</ref> Lowell Goddard resigned as chair in August 2016 and was replaced by Professor [[Alexis Jay]], who had previously led the [[Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham]] (or Jay Report).<ref name=ft2014-09-05>{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/42f3ab7a-34ed-11e4-aa47-00144feabdc0|title=Lord Mayor of London Fiona Woolf to lead child abuse inquiry|work=Financial Times|date=5 September 2014|author=Mark Odell}}</ref>

The IICSA published 19 reports in all, with the last one coming on 20 October 2022, with many urgent recommendations.<ref name=FinalReport>{{cite web|url=https://www.iicsa.org.uk/final-report|access-date=5 November 2022|date=20 October 2022|title=The Report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse}}</ref><ref name=BBCOctober2022>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63318342|title=Child sex abuse: Failing to report it should be made illegal - major inquiry|publisher=BBC News|access-date=5 November 2022|date=20 October 2022}}</ref> [[Home Secretary]] [[Suella Braverman]] said the [[Government of the United Kingdom]] "accepted the need to act on all but one of the Inquiry’s recommendations".<ref name="govt response">{{cite news | url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1158298/Government_Response_to_IICSA_FINAL.pdf
| title=Government Response to the Final Report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse| work=HM Government | date=May 2023| access-date=2 July 2023 | archive-date=11 June 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611001801/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1158298/Government_Response_to_IICSA_FINAL.pdf| url-status=live }}</ref> As of {{As of|2024|12|lc=y|bare=yes}}, none of these recommendations had been implemented; the Ministry of Justice had closed a further consultation but published no response to the report.<ref name="NF">{{Cite web |date=2025-01-05 |title=Nigel Farage defends Elon Musk over grooming gangs posts |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd9x3d4v7jdo |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Letter: Church must face up to Justin Welby's damaging legacy |first=Stephen |last=Bernard |author-link=Stephen Bernard |newspaper=The Guardian |date=9 December 2024 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/dec/09/church-must-face-up-to-justin-welbys-damaging-legacy}}</ref>

====Key recommendations====
The 20 key recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) include:<ref name="JR">{{Cite web |title=Jay Report into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham - Committees - UK Parliament |url=https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1954/jay-report-into-child-sexual-exploitation-in-rotherham/ |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=committees.parliament.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Siddique |first=Haroon |date=2022-10-20 |title=Child sexual abuse inquiry: key recommendations |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/oct/20/child-sexual-abuse-inquiry-final-report-20-actions-for-change |access-date=2025-01-10 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
* Creating a statutory requirement for people working or volunteering in positions of trust to report allegations of child sexual abuse.
* Establishing a national compensation scheme for people who have experienced child sexual abuse connected to an institution (state or non-state).
* Establishing two child protection authorities (one in England and one in Wales) to improve child protection practices and policies, and to advise government.
* Establishing a dedicated [[cabinet minister]] for child protection.
* Introducing a ban on pain-compliance techniques in prisons, detention centres and other custodial settings.
* Improving statutory duty compliance so the [[Disclosure and Barring Service]] (DBS) is informed about individuals potentially posing a risk to children.
* Ensuring better age-verification processes online.
* Issuing regular public awareness campaigns to inform the public on how to spot potential abuse and how to report it.
* Amending the Children Act 1989 to allow children to apply for a court order to prevent a local authority exercising its parental responsibilities over them.
* Establishing an independent body to register staff in care homes, set and enforce professional standards, and provide training.
* Registration of staff at young offender institutes and secure training centres.
* Allow anyone working with children to see if they have been barred by the DBS.
* Extend disclosure requirements to those working with children overseas.
* Require all regulated search service providers and user-to-user services to pre-screen online content for known child sexual abuse material.
* Establish joint inspection of the victims' code to ensure it provides the minimum level of service for survivors of child sexual abuse.
* Ending the three-year limitation on personal injury claims for survivors of child sexual abuse.
* Providing guaranteed, fully-funded therapeutic support by specialists to all survivors of child sexual abuse.
* Establishing a code of practice which provides access to records related to child sexual abuse and ensures they are retained for 75 years.
* Updating the criminal injuries compensation scheme to cover a broader range of child sexual abuse and to extend the time limit for survivors to apply.
* Improving data collection by creating a single set of core data for all child sexual abuse cases.

====November 2020 report on Catholic Church====
In November 2020, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse published its 144-page report, ''Safeguarding in the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales''.<ref name="Catholic church report">{{Cite book|url=https://www.iicsa.org.uk/key-documents/23357/view/catholic-church-investigation-report-10-november-2020.pdf|title=Safeguarding in the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, Investigation Report|publisher=Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse|date=November 2020}}</ref> The report said the Catholic Church of England and Wales "swept under the carpet" allegations of sex abuse by many individuals, including priests, monks and volunteers, in England and Wales. The report said that [[Vincent Nichols]], a cardinal since 2014 and the leader of the Catholic church in England and Wales, made "no acknowledgement of any personal responsibility",<ref name=abuse>{{Cite news |title=Child sexual abuse in Catholic church was 'swept under the carpet', inquiry finds |last=Bowcott |first=Owen |newspaper=The Guardian |date=10 November 2020 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/10/child-sexual-abuse-in-catholic-church-swept-under-the-carpet-inquiry-finds}}</ref> protected the reputation of the Church rather than protecting victims, and lacked compassion towards victims.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54889033 Catholic Church abuse: Cardinal Vincent Nichols criticised over leadership]. ''BBC News''.</ref>

On 2 September 2021, the inquiry published ''Child protection in religious organisations and settings - Investigation Report'', after examining evidence from 38 groups, including sects from Christianity, Orthodox Judaism, and Islam.<ref name=sep21report>{{cite web |url=https://www.iicsa.org.uk/document/child-protection-religious-organisations-and-settings-investigation-report-september-2021 |title=Child protection in religious organisations and settings - Investigation Report|website=Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse|author= |date=2 September 2021}}</ref> The report said there were "shocking failings" and "blatant hypocrisy" in the way major UK religious groups handled child sex abuse allegations. It also said that some religious organisations were "morally failing" children, discouraging the reporting of abuse to protect reputations, blaming victims for their abuse, and responding to allegations using religious dogma.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Religious groups in UK failing children over sex abuse, report says |last=Symonds |first=Tom |website=BBC News |date=2 September 2021 |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58420270}}</ref>

=== Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry ===
{{Main|Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry}}

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry was established in October 2015 to inquire into cases of [[child abuse]] in care in Scotland.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Child protection: Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry - gov.scot|url=https://www.gov.scot/policies/child-protection/scottish-child-abuse-inquiry/|access-date=2021-05-17|website=Scottish Government}}</ref><ref name="beeb">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-44561143 |title=Scottish Child Abuse inquiry to be extended|website=BBC News|date=23 August 2018 |access-date= 23 August 2018}}</ref> Retired judge [[Anne Smith, Lady Smith|Lady Anne Smith]] was appointed as chairwoman of the inquiry in July 2016. She is supported by a secretariat team, a legal team and legal council.<ref name="childabuseinquiry_who-we-are">{{Cite web|title=Who we are|url=https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/about-us/the-inquiry/who-we-are/|access-date=2021-05-16|website=Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry|language=en}}</ref> Prior to the appointment of Smith, the inquiry had a chair, Susan O'Brien, and two panel members, [[Michael Lamb (psychologist)|Michael Lamb]] and Glen Houston. Lamb resigned because of the Scottish government continued interference.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Professor blasts Scottish Government 'interference' as he steps down from child abuse inquiry|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14585067.professor-blasts-scottish-government-interference-steps-child-abuse-inquiry|access-date=2021-05-16|website=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]]|date=28 June 2016 |language=en}}</ref> The inquiry investigated over 100 locations of over 50 residential care establishments for children where there were child abuse claims.<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 December 2019|title=Preliminary Hearing|url=https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/news/preliminary-hearing/|access-date=2021-05-18|website=Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=List of Investigations|url=https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/evidence/investigations/|access-date=2021-05-17|website=Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry|language=en}}</ref> Between 2018 and 2021 the inquiry issued several reports including four case reports on care homes in Scotland.<ref name="case study 3">{{Cite web|date=January 2020|title=Case Study no. 3: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by Quarriers, Aberlour Child Care Trust, and Barnardo's between 1921 and 1991|url=https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/media/2347/qab-case-study-findings.pdf|access-date=17 May 2021|website=Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry|archive-date=28 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228101658/https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/media/2347/qab-case-study-findings.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="case study 4">{{Cite web|date=February 2021|title=Case Study no. 4: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by The Christian Brothers between 1953 and 1983 at St Ninian's Residential Care Home, Falkland, Fife|url=https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/media/2668/scai_case-study-no4_the-provision-of-residential-care-for-children-in-scotland-by-the-christian-brothers_february-2021.pdf|access-date=17 May 2021|website=Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry|archive-date=17 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217132334/https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/media/2668/scai_case-study-no4_the-provision-of-residential-care-for-children-in-scotland-by-the-christian-brothers_february-2021.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="case study 1">{{Cite web|date=October 2018|title=Case Study no. 1: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul between 1917 and 1981, with a particular focus on Smyllum Park Orphanage, Lanark, and Bellevue Children's Home, Rutherglen|url=https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/media/1890/aps-doc-findings-final-hyperlinked-11_oct.pdf|website=Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry|access-date=10 January 2025|archive-date=14 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114201638/https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/media/1890/aps-doc-findings-final-hyperlinked-11_oct.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Abuse survivors have called on the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry remit to be widened out to include victims who were targeted outwith residential care, including sports and leisure clubs or faith based organisations attended on a day-to-day basis.<ref name="remit wide enough"/><ref>{{Cite web|last=Scott|first=Marion|date=2020-01-26|title=Child abuse inquiry: Angela Constance defends remit|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-35535524|access-date=2021-09-06|website=BBC News|language=en-US}}</ref> Lady Smith rejected this request.<ref name="remit wide enough">{{Cite news|title=Child abuse inquiry remit is wide enough, says new chairman|url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/14807558.child-abuse-inquiry-remit-is-wide-enough-says-new-chairman/|access-date=23 February 2022|website=Glasgow Times}}</ref> Those affected by childhood sexual abuse have called for new laws of mandatory reporting to be implemented in Scotland. This would be a legal requirement for those who work with children or in law enforcement to report child sexual abuse, and is already law in many other countries in the world. The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has given no indication if they will support this law reform.<ref name="sky aug 2023">{{cite news| last=Minelle| first=Bethany| title=Nicky Campbell compares 'abusive' teacher at Edinburgh Academy to Jimmy Savile | newspaper=[[Sky News]]| date=22 August 2023 | url=https://news.sky.com/story/nicky-campbell-compares-abusive-teacher-at-edinburgh-academy-to-jimmy-savile-12945237}}</ref>

The inquiry was to report and make recommendations by 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-01-07|title=Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry|url=https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/social-care-and-health/scottish-child-abuse-inquiry|access-date=2021-05-17|website=Aberdeen City Council|language=en}}</ref><ref name="SCA Inquiry TOR">{{cite web |url=https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/about-us/terms-of-reference/ |title=Terms of Reference, amended 21 June 2018 |website=Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry|date=13 July 2018 |access-date= 23 August 2018}}</ref> This deadline was later changed to "as soon as reasonably practicable".<ref name=beeb/> A transcript contract extension indicates the inquiry hearings could run until February 2025, with a possible extension to February 2026. Then the report would need to be written.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-08|title=Contract suggests Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry could last to 2026|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18703766.contract-suggests-scottish-child-abuse-inquiry-last-2026/|access-date=2022-02-23|website=The Herald|language=en}}</ref> Concerns have been raised about mounting costs and delays in the inquiry.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Marc Horne|title=Child abuse inquiry costs soar as concern raised over compensation panel fees|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/child-abuse-inquiry-costs-soar-amid-row-over-fees-clmkzbq29|access-date=2021-05-17|website=[[The Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Costs for child abuse inquiry reach £30,000 a day - gov.scot|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/costs-for-child-abuse-inquiry-reach-30-000-a-day-mncdvd7dt|access-date=2021-05-17|website=[[The Times]]|date=6 May 2021 }}</ref> In September 2021, Lady Smith released a report which was critical of the previous Scottish government for the 'woeful and avoidable' delay in setting up the inquiry.<ref>{{cite news| last=Cameron | first=Lucinda | title=Government delay setting up child abuse inquiry 'woeful and avoidable' – judge | newspaper=[[The Evening Standard]]| date=29 September 2021 | url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-government-scottish-first-minister-justice-scottish-parliament-b957860.html}}</ref> {{As of|2025|January}}, after nearly eight years of the inquiry, it still has not published its recommendations.<ref name="sky aug 2023" />

=== Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs ===
On 14 June 2025, Prime Minister [[Keir Starmer]] announced that the government would launch a full national statutory inquiry into grooming gangs,<ref name="Mason Allen 2025">{{Cite news |first1=Chris |last1=Mason |first2=Isabella |last2=Allen |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7872pngj2qo |title=Sir Keir Starmer announces national inquiry into grooming gangs |date=14 June 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=14 June 2025}}</ref><ref name="AJ 14 June 2025">{{cite news |title=UK announces national inquiry into 'grooming gangs' after pressure |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/14/uk-announces-national-inquiry-into-grooming-gangs-after-pressure |access-date=15 June 2025 |work=[[Al Jazeera English]] |date=14 June 2025}}</ref> following the recommendations of the Casey audit, which found that the ethnicity of gangs had been "shied away from". Noting that ethnicity data collected for victims and perpetrators of group-based child sexual exploitation was "not sufficient to allow any conclusions to be drawn at the national level", the report said "there have been enough convictions across the country of groups of men from Asian ethnic backgrounds to have warranted closer examination". Casey said there had been institutional "obfuscation" instead of "examination".{{sfn|Casey|2025|p=5}}<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title='Collective failure' to address questions about grooming gangs' ethnicity, says Casey report |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c6292x36d4pt |access-date=16 June 2025 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

On 9 December 2025, Home Secretary [[Shabana Mahmood]] made a statement to Parliament announcing the [[Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs]], its panel with Baroness [[Anne Longfield, Baroness Longfield|Anne Longfield]] as its chair, and draft terms of reference to be confirmed no later than March 2026.<ref>{{cite hansard |title=Grooming Gangs: Independent Inquiry |jurisdiction=Parliament of the United Kingdom |house=House of Commons |date=9 December 2025 |volume=777 |column=179 |speaker=[[Shabana Mahmood]] |position=[[Home Secretary]] |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025-12-09/debates/292F9375-C8B2-4B56-848A-70D76CF4EFBC/details#contribution-92CF3F1C-D422-4766-8950-4F2CF542A947}}</ref>

==Notable incidents==
* [[Amberdale children's home]]
* [[Aylesbury child sex abuse ring]]
* [[Banbury child sex abuse ring]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-31765083|title='Social media party' sex gang guilty|work=BBC News|date=6 March 2015|access-date=28 April 2018|archive-date=19 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819101230/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-31765083|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Beechwood children's home]] – A care home where 136 former residents reported being sexually abused, which police believe is "the small tip of a very large iceberg".
* [[Berkhamsted paedophile network]] – A gang led from [[Berkhamsted]] in [[Hertfordshire]] that was stopped in 2016.
* [[Birmingham bathing cult]]
* [[Bristol child sex abuse ring]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-30078503|title=Sex abuse gangs jailed for grooming|work=BBC News|date=27 November 2014|access-date=28 April 2018|archive-date=30 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180430000022/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-30078503|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Derby child sex abuse ring]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/jan/07/derby-sex-gang-leaders-jailed|title=Derby sex abuse gang leaders jailed|first=Helen|last=Carter|date=7 January 2011|website=The Guardian|access-date=28 April 2018|archive-date=20 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420135920/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/jan/07/derby-sex-gang-leaders-jailed|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Eliza Armstrong case]] – a late 19th-century child sexual abuse scandal that led to the passing of the [[Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885]], which raised the [[age of consent]] from 13 to 16.
* [[Halifax child sex abuse ring]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leeds-36559092|title=Fifteen men jailed for child sex abuse|work=BBC News|date=17 June 2016|access-date=28 April 2018|archive-date=12 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212002102/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leeds-36559092|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Huddersfield grooming gang]]
* [[Ian Watkins (Lostprophets singer)|Ian Watkins child sexual abuse scandal]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-11 |title=Rise and fall of Ian Watkins - The Lostprophets singer jailed for horrific sex crimes |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/ian-watkins-dead-prison-lostprophets-singer-paedophile-b2843781.html |access-date=2025-10-20 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>
* Islington Children's Homes<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2003/jul/06/children.childprotection|title=The whistleblower's story|first1=Paul|last1=Harris|first2=Martin|last2=Bright|date=6 July 2003|website=The Guardian|access-date=28 April 2018|archive-date=7 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407101209/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2003/jul/06/children.childprotection|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Jersey child abuse investigation]]
* [[Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal]]. See also [[Operation Yewtree]], the police investigation into abuse by Savile and others.
* [[Keighley child sex abuse ring]]
* [[Kesgrave Hall School]]
* [[Kidwelly sex cult]]
* [[Kincora Boys' Home]] – the scandal first came to public attention on 24 January 1980 after a news report in the ''[[Irish Independent]]'' titled it as "Sex Racket at Children's Home".
* [[Manchester child sex abuse ring]]
* Manchester Children's Homes<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/6427475.stm|title=Abuse scandal dates back 50 years|date=7 March 2007|access-date=28 April 2018|via=news.bbc.co.uk|archive-date=9 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209235713/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/6427475.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Mark Trotter Affair<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/children-at-risk-council-condemned-in-child-abuse-inquiry-1137368.html|title=Children at risk: Council condemned in child abuse inquiry|work=The Independent |date=8 January 1988|access-date=15 October 2023|via=independent.co.uk|archive-date=25 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325070716/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/children-at-risk-council-condemned-in-child-abuse-inquiry-1137368.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Medomsley Detention Centre]] – A youth prison in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980 where over 1,800 former inmates were subjected to serious sexual and physical abuse by prison guards.
* [[Murder of Alesha MacPhail]]
* [[Newcastle sex abuse ring|Newcastle child sex abuse ring]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-40879427|title=Child sex grooming network convicted|work=BBC News|date=9 August 2017|access-date=28 April 2018|archive-date=12 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512163155/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-40879427|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[North Wales child abuse scandal]] – Scandal leading to a three-year, £13 million investigation into the physical and [[child sexual abuse|sexual abuse of children]] in [[Residential care#Child care|care homes]] in the [[Preserved counties of Wales|counties]] of [[Clwyd]] and [[Gwynedd]], in [[North Wales]], including the Bryn Estyn children's home at [[Wrexham]], between 1974 and 1990.
* North West Hebephile Hunters forms<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lep.co.uk/news/crime/leyland-man-46-arrested-sexually-grooming-12-year-old-released-bail-after-being-exposed-paedophile-hunters-facebook-live-650157|title=Leyland man, 46, arrested for sexually grooming 12-year-old is released on bail after being 'exposed' by paedophile hunters on Facebook Live|date=11 July 2019|first=Matthew|last=Calderbank|newspaper=[[Lancashire Evening Post]]|access-date=30 August 2021|archive-date=30 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830204101/https://www.lep.co.uk/news/crime/leyland-man-46-arrested-sexually-grooming-12-year-old-released-bail-after-being-exposed-paedophile-hunters-facebook-live-650157|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Norwich sexual abuse ring]]
* Nottingham Care Homes<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-23300931 |title=More abuse claims at children's home |work=BBC News |date=13 July 2013 |access-date=28 April 2018 |archive-date=2 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302025644/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-23300931 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* Operation Lakeland – A successful 2007-2010 police investigation into a ring of six men in Cornwall who had "abused at least 30 girls", including at least one as young as five.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-04 |title=Police smash Cornwall paedophile ring as six men jailed for abuse {{!}} Crime {{!}} The Guardian |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/nov/26/cornwall-paedophile-ring-men-jailed |access-date=2025-05-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250504152940/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/nov/26/cornwall-paedophile-ring-men-jailed |archive-date=4 May 2025 |last1=Morris |first1=Steven }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-04 |title=Paedophile ring in Cornwall 'abused at least 30 girls' - BBC News |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-11839816 |access-date=2025-05-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250504153242/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-11839816 |archive-date=4 May 2025 }}</ref>
* [[Operation Voicer]] – A successful police investigation into sexual abuse of babies and infants across England.
* [[Oxford child sex abuse ring]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-41608602|title=Gang abused girls 'on a massive scale'|work=BBC News|date=24 March 2018|access-date=28 April 2018|archive-date=30 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180430170944/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-41608602|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Peterborough sex abuse case]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-26276101|title=Gang jailed for sex attacks on girls|work=BBC News|date=20 February 2014|access-date=28 April 2018|archive-date=12 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512174714/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-26276101|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[2009 Plymouth child abuse case|Plymouth child abuse case]] – paedophile ring involving at least five adults from different parts of England
* [[Rochdale child sex abuse ring]]. See also [[Operation Doublet]], an ongoing investigation by [[Greater Manchester Police]].
* [[Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal]] – widespread child exploitation in [[Rotherham]], [[South Yorkshire]], England, between 1997 and 2013, estimated to have involved at least 1400 children who were subjected to 'appalling' sexual exploitation by gangs of men. An investigation into the abuse was commissioned, called the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham or Jay Report.<ref name="Jay Report">{{cite news|title=Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham (1997–2013)|url=http://www.rotherham.gov.uk/downloads/file/1407/independent_inquiry_cse_in_rotherham|publisher=Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council|date=26 August 2014|access-date=30 August 2014|archive-date=19 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119073353/http://www.rotherham.gov.uk/downloads/file/1407/independent_inquiry_cse_in_rotherham|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=BBC26Aug2014>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-28939089|title=Rotherham child abuse scandal: 1,400 children exploited, report finds|date=26 August 2014|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=26 August 2014|archive-date=24 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324050742/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-28939089|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="shone a light">{{Cite web |date=2024-08-26 |title=Jay Report: How inquiry shone a light on Rotherham abuse |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4ynzppk80o |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* [[2019 South Wales paternal sex abuse case]]
* [[Telford child sexual exploitation scandal]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/09/grooming-gangs-muslim-men-failed-integrate-british-society/|title=Grooming gangs of Muslim men failed to integrate into British society|work=The Daily Telegraph|last=Bird|first=Steve|date=9 December 2017|access-date=10 May 2019|archive-date=12 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212134310/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/09/grooming-gangs-muslim-men-failed-integrate-british-society/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="telford inquiry">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-61983584 |title=Telford child sex abuse went on for generations, inquiry finds |date=12 July 2022 |work=BBC |access-date=13 July 2022 |archive-date=13 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713060002/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-61983584 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="guardian july 2022">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jul/12/over-1000-children-telford-sexually-exploited-inquiry-finds |title=Over 1,000 children in Telford were sexually exploited, inquiry finds |first=Jessica |last=Murray |date=12 July 2022 |work=The Guardian |access-date=13 July 2022 |archive-date=13 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713090706/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jul/12/over-1000-children-telford-sexually-exploited-inquiry-finds |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[United Kingdom football sexual abuse scandal]] – started in November 2016 when former professional footballers waived their rights to anonymity and talked publicly about abuse by former football coaches in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. The initial allegations centred on [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]] and [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]].
* [[Westminster paedophile dossier]] – A dossier on paedophiles allegedly associated with the British government

==See also==
* [[Child abuse]]
* [[Northern Ireland Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry]]
* [[Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry]]
* [[Sexual offences in the United Kingdom]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
* {{cite journal |last1=Cockbain |first1=Ella |date=April 2013 |title=Grooming and the 'Asian sex gang predator': the construction of a racial crime threat |journal=Race & Class |volume=54 |issue=4 |pages=22–32 |doi=10.1177/0306396813475983 |doi-access=free}}
* {{Cite journal|url = https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0306396819895727|doi = 10.1177/0306396819895727|title = Failing victims, fuelling hate: Challenging the harms of the 'Muslim grooming gangs' narrative|year = 2020|last1 = Cockbain|first1 = Ella|last2 = Tufail|first2 = Waqas|journal = Race & Class|volume = 61|issue = 3|pages = 3–32|s2cid = 214197388|access-date = 25 July 2023|archive-date = 8 March 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210308203535/https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0306396819895727|url-status = live}}
* {{Citation |last1=Gill |first1=Aisha K. |chapter=Moral Panic in the Media: Scapegoating South Asian Men in Cases of Sexual Exploitation and Grooming |date=30 November 2020 |title=Gendered Domestic Violence and Abuse in Popular Culture |pages=171–197 |editor-last=Ramon |editor-first=Shulamit |chapter-url=https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/978-1-83867-781-720201011/full/html |access-date=27 June 2024 |publisher=Emerald Publishing Limited |doi=10.1108/978-1-83867-781-720201011 |isbn=978-1-83867-782-4 |last2=Day |first2=Aviah Sarah |editor2-last=Lloyd |editor2-first=Michele |editor3-last=Penhale |editor3-first=Bridget |chapter-url-access=subscription |mode=cs1}}
* {{Cite journal |last1=Gill |first1=Aisha K |last2=Harrison |first2=Karen |date=1 July 2015 |title=Child Grooming and Sexual Exploitation: Are South Asian Men the UK Media's New Folk Devils? |url=https://www.crimejusticejournal.com/article/view/756 |journal=International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=34–49 |doi=10.5204/ijcjsd.v4i2.214 |issn=2202-8005}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Hanson |first=Martin |date=2018 |title=Muslim grooming gangs |url=https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.T2024062400003801479408026 |journal=The Open Society|volume=91 |issue=4 |pages=5–10 }}
* {{Citation |last=Meyer |first=Anneke |chapter=The Rotherham abuse scandal |date=30 June 2015 |title=Revisiting Moral Panics |pages=113–122 |editor-last=Cree |editor-first=Viviene E. |chapter-url=https://bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/book/9781447321873/ch010.xml |access-date=21 June 2025 |publisher=Policy Press |doi=10.51952/9781447321873.ch010 |isbn=978-1-4473-2187-3 |editor2-last=Clapton |editor2-first=Gary |editor3-last=Smith |editor3-first=Mark |mode=cs1|chapter-url-access=subscription }}
* {{Cite journal |last=Miah |first=Shamim |date=18 April 2015 |title=The Groomers and the Question of Race |url=https://www.identitypapers.org.uk/article/id/410/ |journal=Identity Papers: A Journal of British and Irish Studies |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=54–66 |doi=10.5920/idp.2015.1154 |issn=2058-6205 |doi-access=free}}
* {{Cite book |last=Quraishi |first=Muzammil |title=Young British Muslims |publisher=Routledge |year=2016 |location=London |pages=36–48 |chapter=Child sexual exploitation and young British Muslim men: a modern moral panic?}}
* {{Cite journal |last1=Shawar |first1=Yusra Ribhi |last2=Truong |first2=Phong Phu |last3=Shiffman |first3=Jeremy |date=2022-06-01 |title=The emergence of political priority for addressing child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom |journal=Child Abuse & Neglect |volume=128 |issue=105601 |pages=8–9 |doi=10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105601 |issn=0145-2134 |ref={{harvid|Shawar|2022}}|doi-access=free |pmid=35381546 }}
* {{Cite news |last=Sparrow |first=Andrew |date=8 January 2025 |title=Tory and Reform MPs accused of 'weaponising trauma' of grooming victims, as Farage calls for inquiry to focus on Pakistani men – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2025/jan/08/conservatives-elon-musk-keir-starmer-kemi-badenoch-child-safety-pmqs-uk-politics-latest-updates?page=with:block-677e9abc8f08580f8d2eb7d1#block-677e9abc8f08580f8d2eb7d1 |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Tufail |first=Waqas |date=2015 |title=Rotherham, Rochdale, and the Racialised threat of the 'Muslim grooming gang' |url=https://search.informit.org/doi/abs/10.3316/INFORMIT.252439513232546 |journal=International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy |volume=4 |issue=3 |pages=30–43 |doi=10.5204/ijcjsd.v4i3.249}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Tufail |first1=Waqas |last2=Poynting |first2=Scott |chapter=Muslim and dangerous: 'Grooming' and the politics of racialisation |title=Fear of Muslims? International Perspectives on Islamophobia |year=2016 |pages=79–92}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Wroe |first1=Lauren Elizabeth |last2=Vaughn |first2=Leona |title=Race, class and the weaponisation of child safety |type=editorial |journal=Critical and Radical Social Work |date=April 2025 |volume=13 |issue=2 |pages=148–154 |doi=10.1332/20498608Y2025D000000074 |doi-access=free}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |author1=Nigel Parton |author2=Anne Stafford |author3=Sharon Vincent |author4=Connie Smith | title = Child Protection Systems in the United Kingdom: A Comparative Analysis | publisher = Jessica Kingsley Publishers | year = 2011 | isbn = 978-0857002549 }}
* Adrian Bingham; Louise Settle. [https://www.historyandpolicy.org/policy-papers/papers/scandals-and-silences-the-british-press-and-child-sexual-abuse Scandals and silences: the British press and child sexual abuse], in ''History & Policy''. (4 August 2015)

==External links==
* [https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1954/jay-report-into-child-sexual-exploitation-in-rotherham/ Jay Report into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham]
* [https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/42/contents Sexual Offences Act 2003]

{{Child sexual abuse in the UK}}
{{Sexual abuse}}
{{Pedophilia}}

[[Category:Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom|Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Violence against children in England]]
[[Category:Violence in Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Violence in Scotland]]
[[Category:Violence in Wales]]
[[Category:Sex crimes in Scotland]]
[[Category:Sex crimes in England]]
[[Category:Sex crimes in Wales]]
[[Category:Sex crimes in Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:British people convicted of child sexual abuse]]

Draft:Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom

2026-07-09T07:51:05Z

WikiDwarf: WikiDwarf moved page Draft:Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom to Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom: Publishing accepted Articles for creation submission

#REDIRECT [[Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom]]

Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom

2026-07-09T07:51:04Z

WikiDwarf: WikiDwarf moved page Draft:Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom to Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom: Publishing accepted Articles for creation submission

{{AfC submission|||ts=20260709075039|u=WikiDwarf|ns=118}} 

{{Short description|none}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}

'''Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom''' includes the proliferation of indecent images, online exploitation, transnational abuse, and contact abuse. Efforts to prevent [[child sexual abuse]] include providing information to children and parents, and disrupting abusive situations. Perpetrators may act alone or as part of a group or street gang, and may either exploit vulnerabilities in children and young people or have long-standing sexual attraction to children. Underreporting of child sexual abuse and low conviction rates remain barriers to justice, among other factors. In the UK, high-profile media coverage of child sexual abuse has often focused on cases of institutional and celebrity abuse, as well as offences committed by [[Child sex ring|organized groups of sexual abusers]].

Child sexual abuse has been reported in the country throughout its history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.historyandpolicy.org/policy-papers/papers/child-welfare-child-protection-and-sexual-abuse-1918-1990|title=Child welfare, child protection and sexual abuse, 1918-1990|last=Delap|first=Lucy|date=30 July 2015|website=History & Policy|access-date=19 July 2016|archive-date=19 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160719030746/http://www.historyandpolicy.org/policy-papers/papers/child-welfare-child-protection-and-sexual-abuse-1918-1990|url-status=live}}</ref> In about 90% of cases the abuser is a person known to the child.<ref name="nspcc_1" /> From the second half of the twentieth century, cases involving religious institutions,<ref name=sherwood /> schools,<ref>{{cite news |title=Teacher guilty of sexually abusing pupil |url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/teacher-guilty-of-sexually-abusing-pupil-1-87037 |work=[[East Anglian Daily Times]] |date=9 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702004511/https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/teacher-guilty-of-sexually-abusing-pupil-1-87037 |archive-date=2 July 2019 |url-status = live|language=en}}</ref> popular entertainers,<ref name="Harris guilty">{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/world/rolf-harris-guilty-the-moment-on-the-witness-stand-he-came-closest-to-convicting-himself-20140701-zsrij.html|title=Rolf Harris guilty: The moment on the witness stand he came closest to convicting himself|date=1 July 2014|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=1 July 2014|archive-date=30 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630183900/http://www.smh.com.au/world/rolf-harris-guilty-the-moment-on-the-witness-stand-he-came-closest-to-convicting-himself-20140701-zsrij.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="glitter 16 years">{{cite news | url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31657929 | title= Gary Glitter jailed for 16 years | work= BBC News | date= 27 February 2015 | access-date= 6 March 2015 | archive-date= 8 March 2015 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150308101816/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31657929 | url-status= live }}</ref> politicians,<ref name=GuardJul614>{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jul/06/child-abuse-coverup-1980s-lord-tebbit |title= Tebbit hints at political cover-up over child abuse in 1980s |author= Boffey, Daniel |work=The Guardian |location= London |date=6 July 2014 |access-date=6 July 2014}}</ref> military personnel, and other officials have been widely publicised. Since the start of the 21st century, media coverage and political discourse has also increasingly covered child abuse rings or "grooming gangs" operating in towns and cities across the UK, most notably in what is now known as the [[grooming gangs scandal]].<ref name="scandals and silences">Adrian Bingham and Louise Settle. [https://www.historyandpolicy.org/policy-papers/papers/scandals-and-silences-the-british-press-and-child-sexual-abuse Scandals and silences: the British press and child sexual abuse], in ''History & Policy''. (4 August 2015)</ref> Efforts to protect children from sexual abuse were recorded as early as the 11th century.<ref name="Walker 2021 p. 22" /> Investigation and prevention of child sex abuse were impaired in the 21st century due to the impact of the [[United Kingdom government austerity programme#Effects|government austerity programme]].<ref name="observer21/10/2018" />

In 2012, celebrity [[Jimmy Savile]] was [[:wikt:posthumous|posthumous]]ly identified as a prolific child sexual abuser over the previous six decades. Subsequent investigations, including those of [[Operation Yewtree]], led to the conviction of several prominent "household names" in the media, allegations against prominent politicians, and calls for a public inquiry to establish what had been known by those responsible for the institutions where abuse had taken place. In July 2014, an [[Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse]] was announced by [[Theresa May]], then British [[Home Secretary]], to examine how the country's institutions have handled their [[Duty of care in English law|duty of care]] to protect children from sexual abuse.<ref name=BBCJul814>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28203914|title=Ex-senior judge Butler-Sloss to head child sex abuse inquiry|publisher=[[BBC News Online]]|date=8 July 2014|access-date=12 July 2014|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507123219/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28203914|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Categories of child sexual abuse==
The [[Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command]] identify four broad categories of child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom, which they describe as the four "key threats" to children.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}
*'''The proliferation of indecent images of children''' – particularly the production of still, moving and live-streaming of child abuse images. Live streaming of abuse of third world children for consumption by UK paedophiles is increasing. Perpetrators are being increasingly found and brought to justice. Tracking down and safeguarding third world child victims is more difficult.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}
*'''Online child sexual exploitation''' – with a focus on the systematic sexual exploitation of multiple child victims on the internet.
*'''Transnational child sexual abuse''' – including both transient and resident UK nationals and British citizens committing sexual offences abroad.
*'''Contact child sexual abuse''' – including the threat posed by organised crime-associated child sexual exploitation and the risks around missing children.

Within the category of contact sexual abuse, there are a number of recognised types. Firstly, contact child sexual abuse by lone offenders. Secondly, contact child sexual abuse by group offenders and offending associated with street gangs, of which there are two types.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/may/14/children-risk-images-abuse-online|title=Children put at risk by rise in images of abuse online, say investigators|first=Sandra|last=Laville|date=14 May 2013|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-date=22 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622004940/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/may/14/children-risk-images-abuse-online|url-status=live}}</ref> Within the group category, authorities describe two broad types:
* '''Type 1:''' Group offending targeting victim vulnerability. This includes street grooming gangs.
* '''Type 2:''' Group offending as a result of a specific sexual interest in children. This group have a long-standing sexual interest in children with some having a synergy with what has been described as a paedophile "ring".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.norfolklscb.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/CEOP_Threat-Assessment_CSE_JUN2013.pdf|title=Threat Assessment of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse|publisher=[[Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command]]|date=June 2013|page=19|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112013711/https://www.norfolklscb.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/CEOP_Threat-Assessment_CSE_JUN2013.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Statistics==
The [[National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse]] (2025) said that around 500,000 children a year are likely to experience child sexual abuse of any kind in the UK, with one in five (100,000) incidents reported. Of the reported offences, 60% (60,000) are contact offences and 40% online. Of the contact offences, 28.5% (17,100) are flagged as child sexual exploitation.<ref name="Casey audit">{{Cite web |last=Casey |first=Louise |date=16 June 2025 |title=National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-audit-on-group-based-child-sexual-exploitation-and-abuse |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref>

In the UK, a 2010 study estimated prevalence at about 5% for boys and 18% for girls<ref>{{cite web |title=Child abuse and neglect in the UK today |url=http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/research/findings/child_abuse_neglect_research_PDF_wdf84181.pdf |work=NSPCC |author1=Radford |author2=Lorraine |author3=Corral |author4=Susana |author5=Bradley |author6=Christine |author7=Fisher |author8=Helen |author9=Bassett |author10=Claire |author11=Howat |author12=Nick |author13=Collishaw |author14=Stephan |year=2011 |page=5 |access-date=2011-10-29 |archive-date=2014-08-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140816090004/http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/research/findings/child_abuse_neglect_research_PDF_wdf84181.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> (not dissimilar to a 1985 study that estimated about 8% for boys and 12% for girls).<ref name="Baker">{{Cite journal|last= Baker |first= AW |author2=Duncan, SP |year= 1985 |title= Child sexual abuse: a study of prevalence in Great Britain |journal= Child Abuse & Neglect |volume= 9| issue= 4 |pages= 457–67 |pmid = 4084825 |doi= 10.1016/0145-2134(85)90054-7}}</ref> Figures from 2009 to 2010 suggest girls are six times more likely to be assaulted than boys with 86% of attacks taking place against them.<ref name="64 crimes a day">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-13542007 "NSPCC says child sex abuse has risen to 64 crimes a day"] ''BBC News''. 26 May 2011. Retrieved February 4, 2012.</ref><ref name="60 offences">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8477726.stm "60 sex offences against children a day – NSPCC"] ''BBC News''. 25 January 2010. Retrieved February 4, 2012.</ref> In 2014, the charity [[Barnardo's]] published a report that estimated that during 2008–2013, two thirds of victims were girls and one third were boys. Barnardo's were concerned that male victims may be overlooked.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28935733|title=Barnardo's: Sexual exploitation of boys 'overlooked'|newspaper=BBC News|access-date=23 March 2015|date=2014-08-27|last1=Malik|first1=Zubeida}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Cockbain |first1=Ella |last2=Brayley |first2=Helen |last3=Ashby |first3=Matthew |title=Not just a girl thing A large-scale comparison of male and female users of child sexual exploitation services in the UK |url=https://www.barnardos.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-12/not-just-a-girl-thing.pdf |publisher=Barnados |access-date=17 January 2025 |date=August 2014}}</ref> In 2020, the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse said professionals faced difficulties "in identifying sexual abuse and acting on concerns about children from minority ethnic backgrounds".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.csacentre.org.uk/research-resources/research-evidence/scale-nature-of-abuse/trends-in-official-data/ |title=Trends in official data}}</ref>

===Recorded offences===
Reports of child sex abuse have increased in the UK. This may, in part, be due to greater willingness to report – between October 2013 and December 2017, reports to child protection experts had increased by 700%. The NSPCC reported a 31% increase between 2016 and 2017 alone.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/dec/29/estimated-20000-british-men-interested-in-sexually-abusing-children-police-chief-says Estimated 20,000 British men interested in sexually abusing children] ''[[The Guardian]]''</ref> Between 2009 and 2010, more than 23,000 offences were recorded by the UK police.<ref name="60 offences"/><ref name="64 crimes a day"/> This number had almost doubled by 2016–17.<ref name="Bentley"/> The true number of offences remains doubtful, and is generally assumed to be larger, due to expected underreporting.<ref>{{cite news |title=Why Does So Much Abuse of Children Go Unreported? |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/peter-watt/child-abuse-goes-unreported-nspcc_b_1374640.html |date=26 March 2012 |work=Huffington Post |access-date=30 January 2014 |archive-date= 3 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203035542/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/peter-watt/child-abuse-goes-unreported-nspcc_b_1374640.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Some 90% of the sexually abused children were abused by people who they knew, and about one out of every three abused children did not tell anyone else about it.<ref name="nspcc_1">{{cite web |url=http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/research/statistics/prevalence_and_incidence_of_child_abuse_and_neglect_wda48740.html |title=Incidence and prevalence of child abuse and neglect |work=NSPCC |access-date=30 January 2014 |archive-date=2 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702214438/http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/research/statistics/prevalence_and_incidence_of_child_abuse_and_neglect_wda48740.html |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''England''': In 2016–17 there were 43,522 recorded sexual offences against children under 16 years old, and a further 11,324 offences against young people aged over 16 and under 18. Police recorded 6,009 rapes of children aged under 13 years, and 6,299 rapes of children under 16 years.<ref name="Bentley">{{Cite book|author=Bentley, H.|display-authors=et al|year=2018|title=How safe are our children? The most comprehensive overview of child protection in the UK 2018|location=London|publisher=[[NSPCC]]|pages=29–31}}</ref>
* '''Wales''': In 2016–17 there were 2,845 recorded sexual offences against children under 16 years old. Police recorded 446 rapes of children aged under 13 years, and 340 rapes of children under 16 years.<ref name=Bentley/>
* '''Scotland''': In 2016–17 there were 4,097 recorded sexual offences against children under 16 years old. Police recorded 196 rapes and attempted rapes of children aged 13–15 years, and 161 rapes and attempted rapes of children under 13 years.<ref name=Bentley/>
* '''Northern Ireland''': In 2016–17 there were 1,875 recorded sexual offences against children and young people under 18 years old. Police recorded 360 rapes and attempted rapes of children and young people aged under 18 years.<ref name=Bentley/>

===Offender demographics===
The vast majority of child sex offenders in England and Wales are male, with men representing 82% of perpetrators of child sexual abuse and 90% of "contact" child sexual abuse in 2023.<ref name="Dunford 2025" /> A 2025 report by the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse said that the ethnic background of offenders was recorded in 69% of cases, of which 90% were white, 5% were Asian, 2% were Black, 2% were from mixed ethnic backgrounds and 1% were from "other" ethnic backgrounds.<ref>{{cite report |last1=Kewley |first1=Stephanie |last2=Karsna |first2=Kairika |title=Child Sexual Abuse in 2023/24: Trends in Official Data |doi=10.47117/IZAK2457 |date=2025 |url=https://www.csacentre.org.uk/app/uploads/2025/03/Child-sexual-abuse-in-2023-24-Trends-in-official-data.pdf |location=Barkingside |publisher=Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse}}</ref> The Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse used statistics from the Ministry of Justice which show that white offenders are disproportionately over-represented in the numbers of defendants when compared to the 2021 Census which shows whites make up 81.7% of the general population in England and Wales, 9.3% identify as Asian, 4% identify as black, 2.2% identify as mixed race and 1% identify as 'other'.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/culturalidentity/ethnicity/bulletins/ethnicgroupenglandandwales/census2021 | title=Ethnic group, England and Wales - Office for National Statistics }}</ref>

According to the Ministry of Justice's prison population statistics, there were 8,345 convictions for child sexual abuse offences in 2020. Of this number, 43 did not have their ethnicity recorded. Of those with recorded ethnicity, white prisoners were the majority with a total of 7,353. 464 were Asian, 310 were black and 175 were mixed and "other".<ref>[https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/902705/FOI_200611019_sex_offenders__including_CSA__prison_population_by_ethnicity.doc 2006 Sex Offenders including CSA Prison population by ethnicity] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521152208/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/902705/FOI_200611019_sex_offenders__including_CSA__prison_population_by_ethnicity.doc |date=21 May 2023 }}</ref> Of those with recorded ethnicity, white prisoners were disproportionately over-represented per capita. 88.5% were white, 5.5% were Asian, 4% were black and 2% were mixed/other.

In 2023, 115,489 child sexual abuse and exploitation crimes were recorded. Most cases of abuse occurred within the family or were committed by other children. Group-based child sexual exploitation accounted for 4,228 offences (3.7% of all cases), of which three-quarters involved two perpetrators and two-thirds involved direct contact (rather than occurring online). More than half of all group-based crimes were committed by other children and young people (57%): 9% of offenders were aged 9 or younger, 48% were aged 10–17, and the remaining 43% were adults. 717 (17%) were conducted by organised networks of criminals (so-called "grooming gangs").<ref name="p178">{{cite web | title='Anybody can be a victim': what do UK grooming gangs look like today? | website=Financial Times | date=10 January 2025 | url=https://www.ft.com/content/c379bdb3-25fa-4554-b045-51ef3e53abae | access-date=4 July 2025}}</ref><ref name="Hymas 2025">{{Cite news |last=Hymas |first=Charles |date=2025-01-10 |title=Pakistanis up to four times more likely to be behind grooming |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/10/pakistanis-four-times-more-likely-grooming/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref name="Dunford 2025">{{Cite web |last=Dunford |first=Daniel |title=Child sex abuse and grooming gangs: What we know, and what we don't, from the data |url=https://news.sky.com/story/child-sex-abuse-and-grooming-gangs-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-from-the-data-13285420 |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref>

==Sexual abuse prevention==
{{Update|section|reason=Needs update to cover time between 11th century and 2023, as well as 2023 to present|date=January 2024}}
In the 11th century, surviving ordinances of [[Canterbury Cathedral]] revealed that a process was in place to minimise opportunities for clergy guilty of past abuses to engage in further illicit sexual activities with minors.<ref name="Walker 2021 p. 22">{{cite book | last=Walker | first=S. | title=Children Forsaken: Child Abuse from Ancient to Modern Times | publisher=Critical Publishing | year=2021 | isbn=978-1-913453-83-1 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8So1EAAAQBAJ&pg=PT22 | access-date=2023-03-14 | page=22 | archive-date=14 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314215517/https://books.google.com/books?id=8So1EAAAQBAJ&pg=PT22 | url-status=live }}</ref> Several organisations in the United Kingdom work towards the goal of preventing sexual abuse, such as the [[NSPCC|National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)]] and the Lucy Faithfull Foundation. Prevention initiatives have traditionally involved providing information to children and parents about sexual abuse and how to prevent it. Other forms of prevention involve disruption activities where the children can be removed from the family home or area in which they are living, or work can be done to make it more difficult for people to sexually abuse children.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Protecting children from sexual abuse |url=https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-abuse-and-neglect/child-sexual-abuse |access-date=2026-05-10 |website=NSPCC Learning |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=lff_dev |date=2024-02-02 |title=Situational prevention: the practical approach to preventing child sexual abuse |url=https://www.lucyfaithfull.org.uk/situational-prevention-the-practical-approach-to-preventing-child-sexual-abuse/ |access-date=2026-05-10 |website=Lucy Faithfull Foundation |language=en-GB}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

===Barriers to prevention===
[[United Kingdom government austerity programme#Effects|Austerity]] led to cuts in policing so that the police no longer have the resources to investigate possible offences satisfactorily, or to safeguard potential victims. [[Nazir Afzal]] (formerly the Crown Prosecution Service lead on child sexual abuse and violence against women and girls) said, "Austerity has come at the wrong time. When finally voices are being heard, finally authorities are beginning to do their job properly and finally the NGO sector are being listened to, there isn't any money to go around. They are doing this with one hand behind their back. As a consequence, clearly people will not get justice".<ref name="observer21/10/2018">[https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/oct/21/austerity-harms-hunt-sexual-abuse-gangs-nazir-afzal Austerity harms hunt for sexual abuse gangs, says ex-prosecutor] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021113144/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/oct/21/austerity-harms-hunt-sexual-abuse-gangs-nazir-afzal |date=21 October 2018 }} ''[[The Observer]]''</ref> Nazir Afzal has also expressed concern that there are few prosecutions of grooming gangs in the south of England, fearing people in the south are not looking hard enough. Afzal said,<blockquote>The perceptions is that northern towns and the Midlands have got a better handle on it, but London, the south-east, the south-west really are not focusing on it and claiming they don't have any problems. ... There have been hardly any cases south of Birmingham. What the hell is going on? Is it because there is no problem? I don't accept that at all. Is it because it's not a priority? I hope that's not true. I do think it's that thing about not turning over a stone.<ref name="observer21/10/2018"/></blockquote>

In 2019, a BBC investigation reported that some privately run sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) were failing to examine young people who had experienced sexual assault in a timely fashion, jeopardising their ability to record forensic evidence. Victims' Commissioner [[Helen Newlove, Baroness Newlove|Baroness Newlove]] said the failures were "shocking".<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-01-08 |title=Sexual assault forensics centres failing some victims |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45335980 |access-date=2025-01-09 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In 2023 [[Stephen Cottrell]], [[archbishop of York]], said that there was a crisis of safeguarding within the [[Church of England]], due to church-related abuse. He said: "I imagine Jesus weeps over this situation ... And I know many of us are not far from those tears as well."<ref name=sherwood>{{cite news | last=Sherwood | first=Harriet | title=Safeguarding in 'crisis' in Church of England, says archbishop of York | newspaper=The Guardian | date=9 July 2023 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/09/safeguarding-crisis-church-of-england-archbishop-of-york | access-date=9 July 2023 | archive-date=9 July 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709211504/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/09/safeguarding-crisis-church-of-england-archbishop-of-york | url-status=live }}</ref>

In November 2024, the U.K. government published the ''National review into child sexual abuse within the family environment,'' which sought to look at the "identification, assessment, and response to child sexual abuse within the family environment". It examined local child safeguarding practice reviews (LCSPRs), as well as 136 serious child safeguarding incidents and 41 serious case reviews (SCRs) related to these incidents to set out guidelines for local and national governments, as well as safeguarding partners across the country. The review said that there were "significant and long-standing issues" in reporting child sexual abuse within families, with children affected "frequently not being identified by practitioners" and not "receiving the response needed for their ongoing safety and recovery".<ref>{{Cite web |title=National review into child sexual abuse within the family environment |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-review-into-child-sexual-abuse-within-the-family-environment |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref>

==Law and policy==
The United Kingdom rewrote its criminal code in the [[Sexual Offences Act 2003]]. This Act includes definitions and penalties for child sexual abuse offences, and (so far as relating to offences) applies to [[England]] and [[Wales]] and [[Northern Ireland]]. The [[Scottish Law Commission]] published its review of [[rape]] and sexual offences in December 2007, which includes a similar consolidation and codification of child sexual abuse offences in Scotland.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

In 2021, the government published its Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Strategy, which focussed on new technologies and legislation to prevent and police abuse.<ref name="Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Strategy">{{Cite web |date=2021-06-07 |title=Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Strategy |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling-child-sexual-abuse-strategy |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Priti Patel publishes new strategy to protect children from sexual abuse |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/priti-patel-publishes-new-strategy-to-protect-children-from-sexual-abuse |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref>

==Grooming gangs==
{{Main|Grooming gangs scandal}}

{{Excerpt|Grooming gangs scandal|only=paragraphs}}

== Inquiries ==

=== Butler-Sloss Inquiry ===
{{See also|Cleveland child abuse scandal}}
In 1987, a wave of suspected child sexual abuse cases were reported in [[Cleveland (county)|Cleveland, England]], many of which were later discredited.<ref name=Webmag>{{cite news|last1=Charles|first1=Pragnell|title=The Cleveland Sexual Abuse Scandal|url=http://www.davidlane.org/children/choct2002/choct2002/pragnell%20cleveland%20abuse.html|accessdate=July 21, 2014|publisher=Children Webmag}}</ref> From February to July 1987, many children living in Cleveland were removed from their homes by social service agencies and diagnosed as sexually abused. The 121 diagnoses were made by two [[pediatrics|paediatricians]] at a Middlesbrough hospital, Marietta Higgs and Geoffrey Wyatt, using [[reflex anal dilation]] for diagnosis (later discredited).<ref name="Gazette">{{cite news|url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-news/20-years-cleveland-child-sex-3729871 |title=20 years on from the Cleveland Child Sex Abuse Scandal |newspaper=GazetteLive |date=8 July 2008}}</ref>

When there were not enough foster homes in which to place the children, social services began to house the children in a ward at the local hospital. Later, the test used to establish child abuse was contested by the area police surgeon, and cooperation between the social workers, police and hospital doctors involved in diagnosis began to disintegrate. There was public concern regarding the practices being used by the local social service agency, such as the removal of children from their homes in the middle of the night. In May 1987, parents marched from the hospital where their children were being held to the local newspaper. The resulting media coverage caused the social service agency's practices to receive public scrutiny and criticism. Controversy increased when [[Anthony Hollis|Mr Justice Hollis]] ruled that 19 of 20 children who had been made wards of the court should be returned to their parents due to the weakness of the medical evidence.<ref name=Webmag/>

In response, the Butler-Sloss report was commissioned by the Secretary of State for Social Services in July 1987 and published in 1988. The report, led by Dame [[Elizabeth Butler-Sloss]], concluded that most of the diagnoses were incorrect.<ref name="Gazette"/> Ninety-four of the 121 children were returned to their homes.<ref name="Gazette"/><ref>Staff writer, [http://www.childrenwebmag.com/articles/key-child-care-texts/the-cleveland-reportby-judge-elizabeth-butler-sloss The Cleveland Report] digest by Robert Shaw, Children Webmag 2011, accessed July 17, 2014</ref> An editorial in ''[[The Lancet]]'' concluded: "By their bull-headed approach, Dr Higgs and Dr Wyatt ... have set back the cause they sought to promote". In July 1988, six MPs tabled a House of Commons motion for charges of indecent assault and conspiracy to be brought against Higgs and Wyatt.<ref name="times1988">{{cite news|title=Cleveland doctors defended|work=[[The Times]]|location=London|date=15 July 1988}}</ref>

On 14 October 1991, the [[Children Act 1989]] was implemented in full as a result of the Cleveland child abuse scandal and other child related events that preceded it.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pragnall|first1=Charles|title=Torn from their mothers' arms What are social workers for? Charles Pragnell considers some disturbing cases|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/torn-from-their-mothers-arms-what-are-social-workers-for-charles-pragnell-considers-some-disturbing-cases-1389422.html|accessdate=July 17, 2014|work=The Independent|date=December 13, 2014}}</ref><ref name=Webmag/>

=== Northern Ireland Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry ===
{{Main|Northern Ireland Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry}}

The 2014–2016 '''Northern Ireland Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry''', often referred to as the '''HIA Inquiry''',<ref name=nihia>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hiainquiry.org/|title=Home page|website=Historical institutional Abuse Inquiry|date=30 June 2017}}</ref> is the largest inquiry into historical institutional [[Child abuse|sexual and physical abuse of children]] in Northern Ireland legal history. Its remit covered institutions in [[Northern Ireland]] that provided residential care for children from 1922 to 1995,<ref name=abusebackground>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-25637486|title=NI abuse inquiry - the background|date=13 January 2014|website=BBC News}}</ref> but excluded most church-run schools.<ref name=faq>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hiainquiry.org/frequently-asked-questions|title=Frequently asked questions|date=October 7, 2015|website=Historical institutional Abuse Inquiry}}</ref>

The inquiry concluded its hearings on 8 July 2016 and released its report on 20 January 2017.<ref name=reportannounce>{{cite web |url=https://www.hiainquiry.org/ |title=The Historical institutional Abuse Inquiry|website=Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry|date=20 January 2017 |author=Sir Anthony Hart, Chairman}}</ref><ref name="HIA report">{{cite report|url=https://www.hiainquiry.org/historical-institutional-abuse-inquiry-report-chapters |title=Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry - Report |website=Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry|date=20 January 2017|isbn=978-1-908820-91-4}}</ref> In October 2019 the House of Lords passed the Historical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) Bill<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2019/31/enacted |title=Historical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) Act 2019 |website=Legislation.gov.uk |date=2019 |access-date= 7 April 2020}}</ref> "to establish the Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Board and confer an entitlement to compensation...", and it was passed by the House of Commons as one of its last acts before the [[2019 United Kingdom general election]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2019-10-31|title=31 October 2019 |website=UK Parliament - House of Lords Hansard }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-50296081|title=MPs pass long-awaited abuse compensation bill|first=Jayne|last=McCormack|date=5 November 2019|website=BBC News}}</ref>

On 11 March 2022 ministers from the five main political parties in Northern Ireland and six abusing institutions made statements of apology in the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]]. A typical apology was "Today we, as representatives of the state, say that we are sorry ... that the state's systems failed to protect you from abuse".<ref name=sorry>{{Cite news |title=Abuse survivors hear Stormont public apology |last1=McCormack |first1=Jayne |last2=Andrews |first2=Chris |work=BBC News |date=11 March 2022 |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-60676276}}</ref> BBC News reported that Jon McCourt from Survivors North West said "If what happened today was the best that the church could offer by way of an apology they failed miserably. There was no emotion, there was no ownership. ... I don't believe that the church and institutions atoned today." He called on the intuitions to "do the right thing" and contribute to the redress fund for survivors, saying that institutions have done similar for people in Scotland.<ref name=sorrylive>{{Cite news |title=Abuse survivors apology delivered at Stormont (reported live)| last1 = Connolly | first1 = Gráinne| last2 = Glynn | first2 = Niall| last3 = McCauley | first3 = Ciaran|website=BBC News |date=11 March 2022 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-northern-ireland-60665887?post=asset%3A589dd8ae-9fc5-4347-8030-e1f1d857b74f#post }}</ref> A board was set to represent all six institutions with a view to paying compensation to abuse victims. {{As of|2025|January|bare=yes}}, four of the six institutions had taken no action towards making payments.<ref>McCormack, Jayne. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-68818566 "Barnardo's and the Good Shepherd Sisters to make abuse payment."] ''BBC News.'' Published 16 April 2024. Accessed 10 January 2025.</ref>

===Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse===
{{Main|Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse}}

The ''Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse'' (IICSA)<ref name="law gazette">{{cite web | title= Abuse inquiry: breaking with tradition |url= http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/analysis/comment-and-opinion/abuse-inquiry-breaking-with-tradition/5050049.article| author=Joshua Rozenberg|date= 20 July 2015 | website= Law Gazette | access-date=20 July 2015}}</ref> in [[England and Wales]] was an inquiry examining how the country's institutions handled their [[Duty of care in English law|duty of care]] to protect children from sexual abuse. It was announced by the British [[Home Secretary]], [[Theresa May]], on 7 July 2014.<ref name="BBCJul814" /> It was set up after investigations in 2012 and 2013 into the [[Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal]] revealed widespread abuse, including historic claims (spanning several decades) against prominent media and political figures, and inadequate [[safeguarding]] by institutions and organisations. Originally the inquiry was intended to be a Panel Inquiry supported by experts, similar to the [[Hillsborough Independent Panel]].<ref name="Exaro">{{cite news |url=http://www.exaronews.com/articles/5274/mps-call-on-theresa-may-to-set-up-inquiry-into-child-sex-abuse|title=MPs call on Theresa May to set up inquiry into child sex abuse|publisher=Exaro|date=3 June 2014|access-date=19 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="telegraph290614">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/jimmy-savile/10933200/Jimmy-Savile-pressure-grows-for-full-inquiry-into-historic-child-abuse.html |title=Jimmy Savile: pressure grows for full inquiry into historic child abuse |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=29 June 2014 |access-date=12 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="guardian041114">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/nov/04/child-abuse-inquiry-victims-theresa-may|title=In this child abuse inquiry, the victims must be heard. But it may be too late |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=19 November 2014|access-date=19 November 2014}}</ref> After numerous objections related to the panel's scope and its independence from those being investigated, and the resignation of its first two intended chairs, the inquiry was reconstituted in February 2015 as a [[statutory inquiry]] under the [[Inquiries Act 2005]], giving it greatly increased powers to compel [[sworn testimony]] and to examine [[classified information]].<ref name="indy070714">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-announces-details-of-independent-inquiry-into-paedophile-network-claims-9590545.html|title=Theresa May announces details of independent inquiry into paedophile network claims |work=[[The Independent]] |location=London |date=7 July 2014|access-date=12 July 2014}}</ref>

The first two chairs appointed to the original panel inquiry were [[Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, Baroness Butler-Sloss|Baroness Butler-Sloss]] (appointed 8 July 2014, stepped down 14 July 2014)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28203914|title=Ex-senior judge Butler-Sloss to head child sex abuse inquiry|date=8 July 2014|work=BBC News}}</ref><ref name=bbc140714>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-28295282|title=Butler-Sloss steps down from child abuse inquiry|work=[[BBC News Online]]|date=14 July 2014|access-date=14 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28291275|title=Butler-Sloss urged to stand aside from abuse inquiry|date=14 July 2014|work=BBC News}}</ref> and [[Fiona Woolf]] (appointed 5 September 2014, stepped down 31 October 2014).<ref name="bbc050914">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29076504|title=Lord Mayor Fiona Woolf to lead child abuse inquiry|work=[[BBC News Online]]|date=5 September 2014|access-date=5 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-29853002|title = Fiona Woolf resigns as head of child abuse inquiry|date = 31 October 2014|access-date = 31 October 2014}}</ref><ref name="BBC-21-Oct-2014">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29703282|title=Abuse inquiry head Fiona Woolf defends Lord Brittan links |author= |date= 21 October 2014 |website=BBC News | access-date= 21 October 2014 }}</ref> The reasons for their withdrawal in each case were objections related to their perceived closeness to individuals and establishments which would be investigated. On 4 February 2015, May announced that the inquiry would be chaired by [[Dame (title)|Dame]] [[Lowell Goddard]], a [[New Zealand High Court]] judge who had no ties to the UK bodies and persons likely to be investigated, and the existing panel was disbanded.<ref name="BBC News 4 February 2015">{{cite web | title= New Zealand judge Lowell Goddard to lead abuse inquiry |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31130805| author=|date= 4 February 2015 | website= BBC News | access-date=5 February 2015}}</ref><ref name=criteria>[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-inquiry-into-child-sexual-abuse-criteria-for-chair-and-panel Independent inquiry into child sexual abuse: criteria for chair and panel, ''Gov.uk'', 4 February 2015]</ref> Lowell Goddard resigned as chair in August 2016 and was replaced by Professor [[Alexis Jay]], who had previously led the [[Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham]] (or Jay Report).<ref name=ft2014-09-05>{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/42f3ab7a-34ed-11e4-aa47-00144feabdc0|title=Lord Mayor of London Fiona Woolf to lead child abuse inquiry|work=Financial Times|date=5 September 2014|author=Mark Odell}}</ref>

The IICSA published 19 reports in all, with the last one coming on 20 October 2022, with many urgent recommendations.<ref name=FinalReport>{{cite web|url=https://www.iicsa.org.uk/final-report|access-date=5 November 2022|date=20 October 2022|title=The Report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse}}</ref><ref name=BBCOctober2022>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63318342|title=Child sex abuse: Failing to report it should be made illegal - major inquiry|publisher=BBC News|access-date=5 November 2022|date=20 October 2022}}</ref> [[Home Secretary]] [[Suella Braverman]] said the [[Government of the United Kingdom]] "accepted the need to act on all but one of the Inquiry’s recommendations".<ref name="govt response">{{cite news | url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1158298/Government_Response_to_IICSA_FINAL.pdf
| title=Government Response to the Final Report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse| work=HM Government | date=May 2023| access-date=2 July 2023 | archive-date=11 June 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611001801/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1158298/Government_Response_to_IICSA_FINAL.pdf| url-status=live }}</ref> As of {{As of|2024|12|lc=y|bare=yes}}, none of these recommendations had been implemented; the Ministry of Justice had closed a further consultation but published no response to the report.<ref name="NF">{{Cite web |date=2025-01-05 |title=Nigel Farage defends Elon Musk over grooming gangs posts |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd9x3d4v7jdo |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Letter: Church must face up to Justin Welby's damaging legacy |first=Stephen |last=Bernard |author-link=Stephen Bernard |newspaper=The Guardian |date=9 December 2024 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/dec/09/church-must-face-up-to-justin-welbys-damaging-legacy}}</ref>

====Key recommendations====
The 20 key recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) include:<ref name="JR">{{Cite web |title=Jay Report into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham - Committees - UK Parliament |url=https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1954/jay-report-into-child-sexual-exploitation-in-rotherham/ |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=committees.parliament.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Siddique |first=Haroon |date=2022-10-20 |title=Child sexual abuse inquiry: key recommendations |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/oct/20/child-sexual-abuse-inquiry-final-report-20-actions-for-change |access-date=2025-01-10 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
* Creating a statutory requirement for people working or volunteering in positions of trust to report allegations of child sexual abuse.
* Establishing a national compensation scheme for people who have experienced child sexual abuse connected to an institution (state or non-state).
* Establishing two child protection authorities (one in England and one in Wales) to improve child protection practices and policies, and to advise government.
* Establishing a dedicated [[cabinet minister]] for child protection.
* Introducing a ban on pain-compliance techniques in prisons, detention centres and other custodial settings.
* Improving statutory duty compliance so the [[Disclosure and Barring Service]] (DBS) is informed about individuals potentially posing a risk to children.
* Ensuring better age-verification processes online.
* Issuing regular public awareness campaigns to inform the public on how to spot potential abuse and how to report it.
* Amending the Children Act 1989 to allow children to apply for a court order to prevent a local authority exercising its parental responsibilities over them.
* Establishing an independent body to register staff in care homes, set and enforce professional standards, and provide training.
* Registration of staff at young offender institutes and secure training centres.
* Allow anyone working with children to see if they have been barred by the DBS.
* Extend disclosure requirements to those working with children overseas.
* Require all regulated search service providers and user-to-user services to pre-screen online content for known child sexual abuse material.
* Establish joint inspection of the victims' code to ensure it provides the minimum level of service for survivors of child sexual abuse.
* Ending the three-year limitation on personal injury claims for survivors of child sexual abuse.
* Providing guaranteed, fully-funded therapeutic support by specialists to all survivors of child sexual abuse.
* Establishing a code of practice which provides access to records related to child sexual abuse and ensures they are retained for 75 years.
* Updating the criminal injuries compensation scheme to cover a broader range of child sexual abuse and to extend the time limit for survivors to apply.
* Improving data collection by creating a single set of core data for all child sexual abuse cases.

====November 2020 report on Catholic Church====
In November 2020, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse published its 144-page report, ''Safeguarding in the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales''.<ref name="Catholic church report">{{Cite book|url=https://www.iicsa.org.uk/key-documents/23357/view/catholic-church-investigation-report-10-november-2020.pdf|title=Safeguarding in the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, Investigation Report|publisher=Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse|date=November 2020}}</ref> The report said the Catholic Church of England and Wales "swept under the carpet" allegations of sex abuse by many individuals, including priests, monks and volunteers, in England and Wales. The report said that [[Vincent Nichols]], a cardinal since 2014 and the leader of the Catholic church in England and Wales, made "no acknowledgement of any personal responsibility",<ref name=abuse>{{Cite news |title=Child sexual abuse in Catholic church was 'swept under the carpet', inquiry finds |last=Bowcott |first=Owen |newspaper=The Guardian |date=10 November 2020 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/10/child-sexual-abuse-in-catholic-church-swept-under-the-carpet-inquiry-finds}}</ref> protected the reputation of the Church rather than protecting victims, and lacked compassion towards victims.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54889033 Catholic Church abuse: Cardinal Vincent Nichols criticised over leadership]. ''BBC News''.</ref>

On 2 September 2021, the inquiry published ''Child protection in religious organisations and settings - Investigation Report'', after examining evidence from 38 groups, including sects from Christianity, Orthodox Judaism, and Islam.<ref name=sep21report>{{cite web |url=https://www.iicsa.org.uk/document/child-protection-religious-organisations-and-settings-investigation-report-september-2021 |title=Child protection in religious organisations and settings - Investigation Report|website=Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse|author= |date=2 September 2021}}</ref> The report said there were "shocking failings" and "blatant hypocrisy" in the way major UK religious groups handled child sex abuse allegations. It also said that some religious organisations were "morally failing" children, discouraging the reporting of abuse to protect reputations, blaming victims for their abuse, and responding to allegations using religious dogma.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Religious groups in UK failing children over sex abuse, report says |last=Symonds |first=Tom |website=BBC News |date=2 September 2021 |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58420270}}</ref>

=== Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry ===
{{Main|Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry}}

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry was established in October 2015 to inquire into cases of [[child abuse]] in care in Scotland.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Child protection: Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry - gov.scot|url=https://www.gov.scot/policies/child-protection/scottish-child-abuse-inquiry/|access-date=2021-05-17|website=Scottish Government}}</ref><ref name="beeb">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-44561143 |title=Scottish Child Abuse inquiry to be extended|website=BBC News|date=23 August 2018 |access-date= 23 August 2018}}</ref> Retired judge [[Anne Smith, Lady Smith|Lady Anne Smith]] was appointed as chairwoman of the inquiry in July 2016. She is supported by a secretariat team, a legal team and legal council.<ref name="childabuseinquiry_who-we-are">{{Cite web|title=Who we are|url=https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/about-us/the-inquiry/who-we-are/|access-date=2021-05-16|website=Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry|language=en}}</ref> Prior to the appointment of Smith, the inquiry had a chair, Susan O'Brien, and two panel members, [[Michael Lamb (psychologist)|Michael Lamb]] and Glen Houston. Lamb resigned because of the Scottish government continued interference.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Professor blasts Scottish Government 'interference' as he steps down from child abuse inquiry|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14585067.professor-blasts-scottish-government-interference-steps-child-abuse-inquiry|access-date=2021-05-16|website=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]]|date=28 June 2016 |language=en}}</ref> The inquiry investigated over 100 locations of over 50 residential care establishments for children where there were child abuse claims.<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 December 2019|title=Preliminary Hearing|url=https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/news/preliminary-hearing/|access-date=2021-05-18|website=Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=List of Investigations|url=https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/evidence/investigations/|access-date=2021-05-17|website=Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry|language=en}}</ref> Between 2018 and 2021 the inquiry issued several reports including four case reports on care homes in Scotland.<ref name="case study 3">{{Cite web|date=January 2020|title=Case Study no. 3: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by Quarriers, Aberlour Child Care Trust, and Barnardo's between 1921 and 1991|url=https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/media/2347/qab-case-study-findings.pdf|access-date=17 May 2021|website=Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry|archive-date=28 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228101658/https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/media/2347/qab-case-study-findings.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="case study 4">{{Cite web|date=February 2021|title=Case Study no. 4: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by The Christian Brothers between 1953 and 1983 at St Ninian's Residential Care Home, Falkland, Fife|url=https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/media/2668/scai_case-study-no4_the-provision-of-residential-care-for-children-in-scotland-by-the-christian-brothers_february-2021.pdf|access-date=17 May 2021|website=Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry|archive-date=17 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217132334/https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/media/2668/scai_case-study-no4_the-provision-of-residential-care-for-children-in-scotland-by-the-christian-brothers_february-2021.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="case study 1">{{Cite web|date=October 2018|title=Case Study no. 1: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul between 1917 and 1981, with a particular focus on Smyllum Park Orphanage, Lanark, and Bellevue Children's Home, Rutherglen|url=https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/media/1890/aps-doc-findings-final-hyperlinked-11_oct.pdf|website=Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry|access-date=10 January 2025|archive-date=14 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114201638/https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/media/1890/aps-doc-findings-final-hyperlinked-11_oct.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Abuse survivors have called on the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry remit to be widened out to include victims who were targeted outwith residential care, including sports and leisure clubs or faith based organisations attended on a day-to-day basis.<ref name="remit wide enough"/><ref>{{Cite web|last=Scott|first=Marion|date=2020-01-26|title=Child abuse inquiry: Angela Constance defends remit|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-35535524|access-date=2021-09-06|website=BBC News|language=en-US}}</ref> Lady Smith rejected this request.<ref name="remit wide enough">{{Cite news|title=Child abuse inquiry remit is wide enough, says new chairman|url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/14807558.child-abuse-inquiry-remit-is-wide-enough-says-new-chairman/|access-date=23 February 2022|website=Glasgow Times}}</ref> Those affected by childhood sexual abuse have called for new laws of mandatory reporting to be implemented in Scotland. This would be a legal requirement for those who work with children or in law enforcement to report child sexual abuse, and is already law in many other countries in the world. The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has given no indication if they will support this law reform.<ref name="sky aug 2023">{{cite news| last=Minelle| first=Bethany| title=Nicky Campbell compares 'abusive' teacher at Edinburgh Academy to Jimmy Savile | newspaper=[[Sky News]]| date=22 August 2023 | url=https://news.sky.com/story/nicky-campbell-compares-abusive-teacher-at-edinburgh-academy-to-jimmy-savile-12945237}}</ref>

The inquiry was to report and make recommendations by 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-01-07|title=Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry|url=https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/social-care-and-health/scottish-child-abuse-inquiry|access-date=2021-05-17|website=Aberdeen City Council|language=en}}</ref><ref name="SCA Inquiry TOR">{{cite web |url=https://www.childabuseinquiry.scot/about-us/terms-of-reference/ |title=Terms of Reference, amended 21 June 2018 |website=Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry|date=13 July 2018 |access-date= 23 August 2018}}</ref> This deadline was later changed to "as soon as reasonably practicable".<ref name=beeb/> A transcript contract extension indicates the inquiry hearings could run until February 2025, with a possible extension to February 2026. Then the report would need to be written.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-08|title=Contract suggests Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry could last to 2026|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18703766.contract-suggests-scottish-child-abuse-inquiry-last-2026/|access-date=2022-02-23|website=The Herald|language=en}}</ref> Concerns have been raised about mounting costs and delays in the inquiry.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Marc Horne|title=Child abuse inquiry costs soar as concern raised over compensation panel fees|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/child-abuse-inquiry-costs-soar-amid-row-over-fees-clmkzbq29|access-date=2021-05-17|website=[[The Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Costs for child abuse inquiry reach £30,000 a day - gov.scot|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/costs-for-child-abuse-inquiry-reach-30-000-a-day-mncdvd7dt|access-date=2021-05-17|website=[[The Times]]|date=6 May 2021 }}</ref> In September 2021, Lady Smith released a report which was critical of the previous Scottish government for the 'woeful and avoidable' delay in setting up the inquiry.<ref>{{cite news| last=Cameron | first=Lucinda | title=Government delay setting up child abuse inquiry 'woeful and avoidable' – judge | newspaper=[[The Evening Standard]]| date=29 September 2021 | url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-government-scottish-first-minister-justice-scottish-parliament-b957860.html}}</ref> {{As of|2025|January}}, after nearly eight years of the inquiry, it still has not published its recommendations.<ref name="sky aug 2023" />

=== Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs ===
On 14 June 2025, Prime Minister [[Keir Starmer]] announced that the government would launch a full national statutory inquiry into grooming gangs,<ref name="Mason Allen 2025">{{Cite news |first1=Chris |last1=Mason |first2=Isabella |last2=Allen |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7872pngj2qo |title=Sir Keir Starmer announces national inquiry into grooming gangs |date=14 June 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=14 June 2025}}</ref><ref name="AJ 14 June 2025">{{cite news |title=UK announces national inquiry into 'grooming gangs' after pressure |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/14/uk-announces-national-inquiry-into-grooming-gangs-after-pressure |access-date=15 June 2025 |work=[[Al Jazeera English]] |date=14 June 2025}}</ref> following the recommendations of the Casey audit, which found that the ethnicity of gangs had been "shied away from". Noting that ethnicity data collected for victims and perpetrators of group-based child sexual exploitation was "not sufficient to allow any conclusions to be drawn at the national level", the report said "there have been enough convictions across the country of groups of men from Asian ethnic backgrounds to have warranted closer examination". Casey said there had been institutional "obfuscation" instead of "examination".{{sfn|Casey|2025|p=5}}<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title='Collective failure' to address questions about grooming gangs' ethnicity, says Casey report |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c6292x36d4pt |access-date=16 June 2025 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

On 9 December 2025, Home Secretary [[Shabana Mahmood]] made a statement to Parliament announcing the [[Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs]], its panel with Baroness [[Anne Longfield, Baroness Longfield|Anne Longfield]] as its chair, and draft terms of reference to be confirmed no later than March 2026.<ref>{{cite hansard |title=Grooming Gangs: Independent Inquiry |jurisdiction=Parliament of the United Kingdom |house=House of Commons |date=9 December 2025 |volume=777 |column=179 |speaker=[[Shabana Mahmood]] |position=[[Home Secretary]] |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025-12-09/debates/292F9375-C8B2-4B56-848A-70D76CF4EFBC/details#contribution-92CF3F1C-D422-4766-8950-4F2CF542A947}}</ref>

==Notable incidents==
* [[Amberdale children's home]]
* [[Aylesbury child sex abuse ring]]
* [[Banbury child sex abuse ring]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-31765083|title='Social media party' sex gang guilty|work=BBC News|date=6 March 2015|access-date=28 April 2018|archive-date=19 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819101230/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-31765083|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Beechwood children's home]] – A care home where 136 former residents reported being sexually abused, which police believe is "the small tip of a very large iceberg".
* [[Berkhamsted paedophile network]] – A gang led from [[Berkhamsted]] in [[Hertfordshire]] that was stopped in 2016.
* [[Birmingham bathing cult]]
* [[Bristol child sex abuse ring]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-30078503|title=Sex abuse gangs jailed for grooming|work=BBC News|date=27 November 2014|access-date=28 April 2018|archive-date=30 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180430000022/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-30078503|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Derby child sex abuse ring]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/jan/07/derby-sex-gang-leaders-jailed|title=Derby sex abuse gang leaders jailed|first=Helen|last=Carter|date=7 January 2011|website=The Guardian|access-date=28 April 2018|archive-date=20 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420135920/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/jan/07/derby-sex-gang-leaders-jailed|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Eliza Armstrong case]] – a late 19th-century child sexual abuse scandal that led to the passing of the [[Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885]], which raised the [[age of consent]] from 13 to 16.
* [[Halifax child sex abuse ring]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leeds-36559092|title=Fifteen men jailed for child sex abuse|work=BBC News|date=17 June 2016|access-date=28 April 2018|archive-date=12 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212002102/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leeds-36559092|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Huddersfield grooming gang]]
* [[Ian Watkins (Lostprophets singer)|Ian Watkins child sexual abuse scandal]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-11 |title=Rise and fall of Ian Watkins - The Lostprophets singer jailed for horrific sex crimes |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/ian-watkins-dead-prison-lostprophets-singer-paedophile-b2843781.html |access-date=2025-10-20 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>
* Islington Children's Homes<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2003/jul/06/children.childprotection|title=The whistleblower's story|first1=Paul|last1=Harris|first2=Martin|last2=Bright|date=6 July 2003|website=The Guardian|access-date=28 April 2018|archive-date=7 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407101209/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2003/jul/06/children.childprotection|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Jersey child abuse investigation]]
* [[Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal]]. See also [[Operation Yewtree]], the police investigation into abuse by Savile and others.
* [[Keighley child sex abuse ring]]
* [[Kesgrave Hall School]]
* [[Kidwelly sex cult]]
* [[Kincora Boys' Home]] – the scandal first came to public attention on 24 January 1980 after a news report in the ''[[Irish Independent]]'' titled it as "Sex Racket at Children's Home".
* [[Manchester child sex abuse ring]]
* Manchester Children's Homes<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/6427475.stm|title=Abuse scandal dates back 50 years|date=7 March 2007|access-date=28 April 2018|via=news.bbc.co.uk|archive-date=9 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209235713/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/6427475.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Mark Trotter Affair<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/children-at-risk-council-condemned-in-child-abuse-inquiry-1137368.html|title=Children at risk: Council condemned in child abuse inquiry|work=The Independent |date=8 January 1988|access-date=15 October 2023|via=independent.co.uk|archive-date=25 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325070716/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/children-at-risk-council-condemned-in-child-abuse-inquiry-1137368.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Medomsley Detention Centre]] – A youth prison in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980 where over 1,800 former inmates were subjected to serious sexual and physical abuse by prison guards.
* [[Murder of Alesha MacPhail]]
* [[Newcastle sex abuse ring|Newcastle child sex abuse ring]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-40879427|title=Child sex grooming network convicted|work=BBC News|date=9 August 2017|access-date=28 April 2018|archive-date=12 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512163155/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-40879427|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[North Wales child abuse scandal]] – Scandal leading to a three-year, £13 million investigation into the physical and [[child sexual abuse|sexual abuse of children]] in [[Residential care#Child care|care homes]] in the [[Preserved counties of Wales|counties]] of [[Clwyd]] and [[Gwynedd]], in [[North Wales]], including the Bryn Estyn children's home at [[Wrexham]], between 1974 and 1990.
* North West Hebephile Hunters forms<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lep.co.uk/news/crime/leyland-man-46-arrested-sexually-grooming-12-year-old-released-bail-after-being-exposed-paedophile-hunters-facebook-live-650157|title=Leyland man, 46, arrested for sexually grooming 12-year-old is released on bail after being 'exposed' by paedophile hunters on Facebook Live|date=11 July 2019|first=Matthew|last=Calderbank|newspaper=[[Lancashire Evening Post]]|access-date=30 August 2021|archive-date=30 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830204101/https://www.lep.co.uk/news/crime/leyland-man-46-arrested-sexually-grooming-12-year-old-released-bail-after-being-exposed-paedophile-hunters-facebook-live-650157|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Norwich sexual abuse ring]]
* Nottingham Care Homes<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-23300931 |title=More abuse claims at children's home |work=BBC News |date=13 July 2013 |access-date=28 April 2018 |archive-date=2 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302025644/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-23300931 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* Operation Lakeland – A successful 2007-2010 police investigation into a ring of six men in Cornwall who had "abused at least 30 girls", including at least one as young as five.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-04 |title=Police smash Cornwall paedophile ring as six men jailed for abuse {{!}} Crime {{!}} The Guardian |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/nov/26/cornwall-paedophile-ring-men-jailed |access-date=2025-05-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250504152940/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/nov/26/cornwall-paedophile-ring-men-jailed |archive-date=4 May 2025 |last1=Morris |first1=Steven }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-04 |title=Paedophile ring in Cornwall 'abused at least 30 girls' - BBC News |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-11839816 |access-date=2025-05-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250504153242/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-11839816 |archive-date=4 May 2025 }}</ref>
* [[Operation Voicer]] – A successful police investigation into sexual abuse of babies and infants across England.
* [[Oxford child sex abuse ring]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-41608602|title=Gang abused girls 'on a massive scale'|work=BBC News|date=24 March 2018|access-date=28 April 2018|archive-date=30 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180430170944/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-41608602|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Peterborough sex abuse case]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-26276101|title=Gang jailed for sex attacks on girls|work=BBC News|date=20 February 2014|access-date=28 April 2018|archive-date=12 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512174714/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-26276101|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[2009 Plymouth child abuse case|Plymouth child abuse case]] – paedophile ring involving at least five adults from different parts of England
* [[Rochdale child sex abuse ring]]. See also [[Operation Doublet]], an ongoing investigation by [[Greater Manchester Police]].
* [[Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal]] – widespread child exploitation in [[Rotherham]], [[South Yorkshire]], England, between 1997 and 2013, estimated to have involved at least 1400 children who were subjected to 'appalling' sexual exploitation by gangs of men. An investigation into the abuse was commissioned, called the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham or Jay Report.<ref name="Jay Report">{{cite news|title=Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham (1997–2013)|url=http://www.rotherham.gov.uk/downloads/file/1407/independent_inquiry_cse_in_rotherham|publisher=Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council|date=26 August 2014|access-date=30 August 2014|archive-date=19 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119073353/http://www.rotherham.gov.uk/downloads/file/1407/independent_inquiry_cse_in_rotherham|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=BBC26Aug2014>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-28939089|title=Rotherham child abuse scandal: 1,400 children exploited, report finds|date=26 August 2014|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=26 August 2014|archive-date=24 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324050742/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-28939089|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="shone a light">{{Cite web |date=2024-08-26 |title=Jay Report: How inquiry shone a light on Rotherham abuse |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4ynzppk80o |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* [[2019 South Wales paternal sex abuse case]]
* [[Telford child sexual exploitation scandal]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/09/grooming-gangs-muslim-men-failed-integrate-british-society/|title=Grooming gangs of Muslim men failed to integrate into British society|work=The Daily Telegraph|last=Bird|first=Steve|date=9 December 2017|access-date=10 May 2019|archive-date=12 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212134310/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/09/grooming-gangs-muslim-men-failed-integrate-british-society/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="telford inquiry">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-61983584 |title=Telford child sex abuse went on for generations, inquiry finds |date=12 July 2022 |work=BBC |access-date=13 July 2022 |archive-date=13 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713060002/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-61983584 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="guardian july 2022">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jul/12/over-1000-children-telford-sexually-exploited-inquiry-finds |title=Over 1,000 children in Telford were sexually exploited, inquiry finds |first=Jessica |last=Murray |date=12 July 2022 |work=The Guardian |access-date=13 July 2022 |archive-date=13 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713090706/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jul/12/over-1000-children-telford-sexually-exploited-inquiry-finds |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[United Kingdom football sexual abuse scandal]] – started in November 2016 when former professional footballers waived their rights to anonymity and talked publicly about abuse by former football coaches in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. The initial allegations centred on [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]] and [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]].
* [[Westminster paedophile dossier]] – A dossier on paedophiles allegedly associated with the British government

==See also==
* [[Child abuse]]
* [[Northern Ireland Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry]]
* [[Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry]]
* [[Sexual offences in the United Kingdom]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
* {{cite journal |last1=Cockbain |first1=Ella |date=April 2013 |title=Grooming and the 'Asian sex gang predator': the construction of a racial crime threat |journal=Race & Class |volume=54 |issue=4 |pages=22–32 |doi=10.1177/0306396813475983 |doi-access=free}}
* {{Cite journal|url = https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0306396819895727|doi = 10.1177/0306396819895727|title = Failing victims, fuelling hate: Challenging the harms of the 'Muslim grooming gangs' narrative|year = 2020|last1 = Cockbain|first1 = Ella|last2 = Tufail|first2 = Waqas|journal = Race & Class|volume = 61|issue = 3|pages = 3–32|s2cid = 214197388|access-date = 25 July 2023|archive-date = 8 March 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210308203535/https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0306396819895727|url-status = live}}
* {{Citation |last1=Gill |first1=Aisha K. |chapter=Moral Panic in the Media: Scapegoating South Asian Men in Cases of Sexual Exploitation and Grooming |date=30 November 2020 |title=Gendered Domestic Violence and Abuse in Popular Culture |pages=171–197 |editor-last=Ramon |editor-first=Shulamit |chapter-url=https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/978-1-83867-781-720201011/full/html |access-date=27 June 2024 |publisher=Emerald Publishing Limited |doi=10.1108/978-1-83867-781-720201011 |isbn=978-1-83867-782-4 |last2=Day |first2=Aviah Sarah |editor2-last=Lloyd |editor2-first=Michele |editor3-last=Penhale |editor3-first=Bridget |chapter-url-access=subscription |mode=cs1}}
* {{Cite journal |last1=Gill |first1=Aisha K |last2=Harrison |first2=Karen |date=1 July 2015 |title=Child Grooming and Sexual Exploitation: Are South Asian Men the UK Media's New Folk Devils? |url=https://www.crimejusticejournal.com/article/view/756 |journal=International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=34–49 |doi=10.5204/ijcjsd.v4i2.214 |issn=2202-8005}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Hanson |first=Martin |date=2018 |title=Muslim grooming gangs |url=https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.T2024062400003801479408026 |journal=The Open Society|volume=91 |issue=4 |pages=5–10 }}
* {{Citation |last=Meyer |first=Anneke |chapter=The Rotherham abuse scandal |date=30 June 2015 |title=Revisiting Moral Panics |pages=113–122 |editor-last=Cree |editor-first=Viviene E. |chapter-url=https://bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/book/9781447321873/ch010.xml |access-date=21 June 2025 |publisher=Policy Press |doi=10.51952/9781447321873.ch010 |isbn=978-1-4473-2187-3 |editor2-last=Clapton |editor2-first=Gary |editor3-last=Smith |editor3-first=Mark |mode=cs1|chapter-url-access=subscription }}
* {{Cite journal |last=Miah |first=Shamim |date=18 April 2015 |title=The Groomers and the Question of Race |url=https://www.identitypapers.org.uk/article/id/410/ |journal=Identity Papers: A Journal of British and Irish Studies |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=54–66 |doi=10.5920/idp.2015.1154 |issn=2058-6205 |doi-access=free}}
* {{Cite book |last=Quraishi |first=Muzammil |title=Young British Muslims |publisher=Routledge |year=2016 |location=London |pages=36–48 |chapter=Child sexual exploitation and young British Muslim men: a modern moral panic?}}
* {{Cite journal |last1=Shawar |first1=Yusra Ribhi |last2=Truong |first2=Phong Phu |last3=Shiffman |first3=Jeremy |date=2022-06-01 |title=The emergence of political priority for addressing child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom |journal=Child Abuse & Neglect |volume=128 |issue=105601 |pages=8–9 |doi=10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105601 |issn=0145-2134 |ref={{harvid|Shawar|2022}}|doi-access=free |pmid=35381546 }}
* {{Cite news |last=Sparrow |first=Andrew |date=8 January 2025 |title=Tory and Reform MPs accused of 'weaponising trauma' of grooming victims, as Farage calls for inquiry to focus on Pakistani men – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2025/jan/08/conservatives-elon-musk-keir-starmer-kemi-badenoch-child-safety-pmqs-uk-politics-latest-updates?page=with:block-677e9abc8f08580f8d2eb7d1#block-677e9abc8f08580f8d2eb7d1 |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Tufail |first=Waqas |date=2015 |title=Rotherham, Rochdale, and the Racialised threat of the 'Muslim grooming gang' |url=https://search.informit.org/doi/abs/10.3316/INFORMIT.252439513232546 |journal=International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy |volume=4 |issue=3 |pages=30–43 |doi=10.5204/ijcjsd.v4i3.249}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Tufail |first1=Waqas |last2=Poynting |first2=Scott |chapter=Muslim and dangerous: 'Grooming' and the politics of racialisation |title=Fear of Muslims? International Perspectives on Islamophobia |year=2016 |pages=79–92}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Wroe |first1=Lauren Elizabeth |last2=Vaughn |first2=Leona |title=Race, class and the weaponisation of child safety |type=editorial |journal=Critical and Radical Social Work |date=April 2025 |volume=13 |issue=2 |pages=148–154 |doi=10.1332/20498608Y2025D000000074 |doi-access=free}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |author1=Nigel Parton |author2=Anne Stafford |author3=Sharon Vincent |author4=Connie Smith | title = Child Protection Systems in the United Kingdom: A Comparative Analysis | publisher = Jessica Kingsley Publishers | year = 2011 | isbn = 978-0857002549 }}
* Adrian Bingham; Louise Settle. [https://www.historyandpolicy.org/policy-papers/papers/scandals-and-silences-the-british-press-and-child-sexual-abuse Scandals and silences: the British press and child sexual abuse], in ''History & Policy''. (4 August 2015)

==External links==
* [https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1954/jay-report-into-child-sexual-exploitation-in-rotherham/ Jay Report into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham]
* [https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/42/contents Sexual Offences Act 2003]

{{Child sexual abuse in the UK}}
{{Sexual abuse}}
{{Pedophilia}}

[[Category:Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom| ]]
[[Category:Violence against children in England]]
[[Category:Violence in Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Violence in Scotland]]
[[Category:Violence in Wales]]
[[Category:Sex crimes in Scotland]]
[[Category:Sex crimes in England]]
[[Category:Sex crimes in Wales]]
[[Category:Sex crimes in Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:British people convicted of child sexual abuse]]

Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom

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WikiDwarf: AFCFlow: selfsubmitted

User talk:2001:67C:2628:647:31:2404:0:57

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WikiDwarf: Notification: AfC submission accepted

Investigations into the Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal

2026-07-09T07:49:55Z

WikiDwarf: Cleaning up accepted Articles for creation submission

{{Short description|Investigations into sexual exploitation scandal in England}}
{{Broader|Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal}}

{{use British English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox event
| name = 
| image = File:Rotherham town centre, May 2010.jpg
| image_size =
| image_upright = 1.35
| image_caption = Rotherham town centre, March 2010
| date = 1970s–present
| location = [[Rotherham]], South Yorkshire, England
| coordinates = {{coord|53.430|-1.357|scale:50000|display=inline,title}}
| custom_label = Events
| custom_data = [[Child sexual abuse]] of an estimated 1,400 (1970s–2013, according various reports including Jayne Senior) majority aged approximately 11–16.<ref name="The Star">{{cite news |date=29 March 2023 |title=Rotherham abuse scandal whistleblower: True number of victims likely to be 2,000 |work=The Star |url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/rotherham-abuse-scandal-whistleblower-true-number-of-victims-likely-to-be-2000-65424 |access-date=20 April 2023}}</ref>
| reporter = [[Andrew Norfolk]] of ''[[The Times]]'', with information from [[Jayne Senior]], youth worker<ref name=Turner19March2016>Janice Turner (19 March 2016). "The Rotherham Whistleblower", ''The Times'' magazine.</ref>
| inquiries = [[#Home|Home Affairs Committee]] (2013–2014){{sfn|Home Affairs Committee (c)|2014}}<br />[[#Jay|Jay inquiry]] (2014){{sfn|Jay|2014}}<br /> [[#Casey|Casey inquiry]] (2015){{sfn|Casey|2015}}
| custom_label1 = Trials
| custom_data1 = Sheffield Crown Court, [[#2010 convictions|2010]], [[#Convictions|2016–2017]], convictions for [[rape]], [[Conspiracy (criminal)|conspiracy]] to rape, [[aiding and abetting]] rape, sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, [[indecent assault]], [[false imprisonment]], [[Procuring (prostitution)|procurement]]. Numerous individual prosecutions regarding child sexual exploitation over the years, including 8 in 2012, 9 in 2013, and 1 in the first quarter of 2014{{sfn|Jay|2014|p=31}}
| convictions = {{circa|60}} (rising) Operation Central: 5 men <br /> Operation Clover: 18 men & 2 women <br /> Operation Stovewood: 39 men ''(trials ongoing {{as of|2025|February|lc=y}})''{{efn|Operation Stovewood says 39.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Operation Stovewood – the NCA's investigation into child sexual abuse in Rotherham |url=https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/what-we-do/crime-threats/operation-stovewood-rotherham-child-sexual-abuse-investigation |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk |date=4 December 2024 |language=en-GB}}</ref> ''The Star'' says 40.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marshall |first=Sarah |date=2024-12-29 |title=Number of arrests, convictions and victims in huge child abuse probe so far |url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/crime/number-of-arrests-convictions-and-victims-identified-in-huge-rotherham-child-abuse-probe-4914830 |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=The Star |language=en}}</ref>}}
| sentence =
| awards = Andrew Norfolk: [[Orwell Prize]] (2013), [[British Press Awards|Journalist of the Year]] (2014)<ref>[http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/andrew-norfolk-named-journalist-year-times-and-sunday-times-claim-seven-british-journalism-awards/ "Andrew Norfolk named journalist of the year as Times and Sunday Times claim seven British Journalism Awards"], ''Press Gazette'', 2 December 2014.{{pb}}
Martinson, Jane (28 September 2014). [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/sep/28/rotherham-child-sex-scandal-andrew-norfolk "Rotherham child sex scandal: Andrew Norfolk on how he broke the story"], ''The Guardian''.</ref><br />
Jayne Senior: [[Order of the British Empire|MBE]] ([[2016 Birthday Honours]])<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-36498226 "Rotherham whistleblower Jayne Senior appointed MBE"], ''BBC News'', 10 June 2016.</ref>
}}
'''Investigations into the Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal''' included local, national and media reviews, inquiries and investigations into the organised [[child sexual abuse]] of girls that occurred in the town of [[Rotherham]], South Yorkshire, Northern England, from the late 1980s until 2013,<ref name="BBC-How-2022"/> and particularly the failures of local authorities to act on reports of the abuse throughout most of that period.<ref name="Pidd13July2015">Helen Pidd (13 July 2015). [https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/13/alexis-jay-politicians-rotherham-report-child-sex-abuse-social-worker-claims-westminster-bbc-nhs "Alexis Jay on child sex abuse: 'Politicians wanted to keep a lid on it'"], ''The Guardian''.</ref>

Evidence of the abuse was first noted in the early 1990s,{{sfn|Senior|2016|loc=56}} with reports made to the police and [[Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council|Rotherham Council]] from at least 2001. The first group conviction took place in 2010.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=23}} Subsequently, [[Andrew Norfolk]] of ''[[The Times]]'' reported that the abuse in the town was widespread and that the police and council had known about it for over ten years.{{efn|Andrew Norfolk began investigating in 2010. The first of his articles appeared over four pages in ''The Times'' in January 2011, accompanied by an editorial.<ref name=NorfolkJan2011/>{{pb}}Andrew Norfolk (''The Times'', 24 September 2012): "Confidential police reports and intelligence files ... show that for more than a decade organised groups of men were able to groom, pimp and traffic girls across the country with virtual impunity. Offenders were identified to police but not prosecuted."<ref name=Norfolk24Sept2012/>}} The ''Times'' articles, along with the 2012 trial of the [[Rochdale child sex abuse ring]], prompted the House of Commons [[Home Affairs Select Committee|Home Affairs Committee]] to conduct hearings.{{sfn|Home Affairs Committee (a)|2013|loc=3–4}}

In 2013, Rotherham Council commissioned an independent inquiry led by Professor [[Alexis Jay]], former chief social work adviser to the [[Scottish Government]]. In August 2014, the Jay Report published its recommendations and concluded that an estimated 1,400 children had been sexually abused in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013. The perpetrators were predominantly British-Pakistani men.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/downloads/file/279/independent-inquiry-into-child-sexual-exploitation-in-rotherham|title=Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham (1997–2013)|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref><ref name="Norfolk24Sept2012" /> The majority of victims were [[White British]] girls, but [[British Asians|British Asian]] girls in Rotherham were also targeted and received less support or public attention.<ref>{{harvnb|Jay|2014|p=94|ps=: "The UK Muslim Women's Network produced a report on CSE in September 2013 which drew on 35 case studies of women from across the UK who were victims, the majority of whom were Muslim. It highlighted that Asian girls were being sexually exploited where authorities were failing to identify or support them."}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Jay|2014|p=94|ps=: "The Deputy Children's Commissioner's report reached a similar conclusion to the Muslim Women's Network research, stating 'one of these myths was that only white girls are victims of sexual exploitation by Asian or Muslim males, as if these men only abuse outside of their own community, driven by hatred and contempt for white females. This belief flies in the face of evidence that shows that those who violate children are most likely to target those who are closest to them and most easily accessible.' The Home Affairs Select Committee quoted witnesses saying that cases of Asian men grooming Asian girls did not come to light because victims 'are often alienated and ostracised by their own families and by the whole community, if they go public with allegations of abuse.'}}</ref> The failure to address the abuse was attributed to a combination of factors, including fear that the perpetrators' [[ethnicity]] would trigger allegations of [[racism]]; [[Sexism|sexist]] and [[Classism|classist]] attitudes toward the mostly [[Working class|working-class]] victims; lack of a child-centred focus; a desire to protect the town's reputation; and lack of training and resources.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=69, 101}}{{sfn|Casey|2015|loc=9, 32–36}}<ref name="Pidd13July2015" /> Several local authority and police staff members resigned after the report was published.<ref name="Wrightresigns">{{cite news | work=BBC News | title =PCC Shaun Wright resigns over Rotherham child abuse scandal| date =16 September 2014 | url =https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29220535}}</ref> The [[Independent Police Complaints Commission]] and the [[National Crime Agency]] also opened inquiries in response to the report, with the latter expected to last eight years.<ref name="NCA18Dec2014">[http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/news/517-nca-begins-two-stage-investigation-into-child-sexual-exploitation-in-rotherham "NCA begins two-stage investigation into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309045058/http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/news/517-nca-begins-two-stage-investigation-into-child-sexual-exploitation-in-rotherham|date=9 March 2017}}, National Crime Agency, 18 December 2014.{{pb}}
[http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/publications/483-operation-stovewood-summary-of-terms-of-reference-1/file "Operation Stovewood—Summary of Terms of Reference"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131083705/http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/publications/483-operation-stovewood-summary-of-terms-of-reference-1/file|date=31 January 2017}}, National Crime Agency.</ref><ref name="Norfolk7June2016">Andrew Norfolk (7 June 2016). [https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/rotherham-abuse-inquiry-will-run-for-eight-years-xbmrpmcp9 "Rotherham abuse inquiry will run for eight years"], ''The Times''.</ref>

In 2014, the government appointed [[Louise Casey]] to conduct an inspection of Rotherham Council, published in January 2015. The Casey report concluded that the council was "not fit for purpose" and had a culture of bullying, sexism, covering up information and silencing [[whistleblower]]s.{{sfn|Casey|2015|loc=6}}{{sfn|Casey|2015|loc=9, 11, 30}} In February 2015 the government replaced the council's elected officers with a team of five commissioners.<ref name="bbc31130750">{{cite web |date=4 February 2015 |title=Government in Rotherham Council takeover after abuse inquiry |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-31130750 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

==Background==
[[File:Rotherham UK locator map.svg|thumb|[[Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham]] within [[South Yorkshire]] and England]]
The '''Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal''' refers to the organised [[child sexual abuse]] that occurred in the town of [[Rotherham]], South Yorkshire, Northern England, from the late 1980s until 2013. An estimated 1,400 girls, commonly from care home backgrounds, were abused by [[Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom#Group-based child sexual exploitation|"grooming gangs"]] of predominantly [[British-Pakistani]] men between 1997 and 2013.<ref name="BBC-How-2022">{{cite news |title=Rotherham abuse scandal: How we got here |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-61868863 |access-date=26 January 2024 |agency=BBC News |date=22 June 2022}}</ref><ref name="Pidd13July2015"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/downloads/file/279/independent-inquiry-into-child-sexual-exploitation-in-rotherham|title=Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham (1997–2013)|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref> Researcher Angie Heal, who was hired by local officials and warned them about child exploitation occurring between 2002 and 2007, has since described it as the "biggest [[Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom|child protection scandal in UK history]]".{{sfn|Gladman|Heal|2017|loc=28}}

Rotherham has traditionally been a Labour stronghold, and until [[Sarah Champion]] was elected in 2012 it had never had a female MP.<ref>Helen Pidd (9 February 2015). [https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/feb/09/sarah-champion-mp-rotherham-job-living-hell "Sarah Champion MP: 'The job is fabulous. The lifestyle is living hell'"], ''The Guardian''.</ref> The council was similarly male-dominated; one Labour insider told ''The Guardian'' in 2012: "The Rotherham political class is male, male, male."<ref>Helen Pidd (13 November 2012). [https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/nov/13/labour-party-members-protest-rotherham "Labour party members protest against 'outside' candidate in Rotherham"], ''The Guardian''.</ref> In May 2014 there were 63 elected members on [[Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council]]: 57 [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]], four [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservatives]], one [[UK Independence Party|UKIP]] and one [[Independent politician#United Kingdom|Independent]]. The elections in August that year saw a swing to UKIP: 49 Labour, 10 UKIP, 2 Conservatives and 2 Independents.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=¶ 3}} The government disbanded the council in 2015, after the [[#Casey|Casey report]], and replaced it with a team of five commissioners.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-31130750 "Government in Rotherham Council takeover after abuse inquiry"], ''BBC News'', 4 February 2015.</ref>

===Terminology===
{{Main|Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom#Group-based child sexual exploitation}}
The term ''child sexual exploitation'' (CSE) was first used in 2009 to replace the term ''child prostitution'', which implied a level of consent.<ref>[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130401151715/http://www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/Safeguarding_CPY_from_sexual_exploitation.pdf ''Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation: Supplementary Guidance''], Department for Education, 2009.</ref>{{sfn|Gladman|Heal|2017|loc=65–66}} CSE is a form of [[child sexual abuse]] in which children are offered something—money, drugs, alcohol, food, shelter, or affection—in exchange for sexual activity. Violence and intimidation are common.{{sfn|Gladman|Heal|2017|loc=65–66}} CSE includes [[Child grooming|online grooming]] and [[Child grooming|localised grooming]], formerly known as on-street grooming.{{sfn|Gladman|Heal|2017|loc=65–66}}{{sfn|Home Affairs Committee (a)|2013|loc=4–5}} Localised grooming involves a group of abusers targeting vulnerable children in a public place, offering them sweets, alcohol, drugs and takeaway food in exchange for sex.{{sfn|Home Affairs Committee (a)|2013|loc=5}} The targets can include children in the care of the local authority; in Rotherham, one third of the targeted children were previously known to social services.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=1}} Perpetrators of group-based CSE are often informally known as "grooming gangs" (a term which has been described by academics and child protection professionals as racially charged).<ref name="CockbainTufail20202">{{Cite journal |last1=Cockbain |first1=Ella |last2=Tufail |first2=Waqas |year=2020 |title=Failing victims, fuelling hate: Challenging the harms of the 'Muslim grooming gangs' narrative |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0306396819895727 |url-status=live |journal=Race & Class |volume=61 |issue=3 |pages=3–32 |doi=10.1177/0306396819895727 |s2cid=214197388 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308203535/https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0306396819895727 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |access-date=25 July 2023}}</ref><ref name="Guardian2023">{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Peter |date=25 May 2023 |title='Inaccurate' grooming gang claims putting children at risk, Sunak and Braverman told |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/may/25/inaccurate-grooming-gang-claims-putting-children-at-risk-sunak-and-braverman-told |access-date=31 August 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

==''The Times'' investigation==
===Background===
Andrew Norfolk of ''[[The Times]]'' first wrote about localised grooming in 2003, after moving from London to Leeds, when he wrote a brief story about the [[Keighley child sex abuse ring]]. [[Ann Cryer]], MP for [[Keighley (UK Parliament constituency)|Keighley]], had complained that "Asian men" were targeting teenage girls outside schools, while parents alleged that police and social services were declining to act. From then until 2010, Norfolk heard of court cases in northern England and the Midlands reporting a similar pattern.<ref name="Norfolk28Aug2014" /> Court records showed 17 cases of localised grooming in 13 northern towns since 1997—14 since 2008—in which 56 men were convicted of sexual offences against girls aged 11–16.<ref>[https://www.thetimes.com/article/the-17-cases-identified-by-the-times-which-showed-a-pattern-of-exploitation-rjqz6dbqhsg "The 17 cases identified by The Times which showed a pattern of exploitation"], ''The Times'', 5 January 2011.</ref><ref>[https://www.thetimes.com/best-law-firms/profile-legal/article/child-protection-squad-will-investigate-patterns-of-sex-abuse-tt3r3x3vmw6 "Child protection squad will investigate patterns of sex abuse"], ''The Times'', 31 January 2011.</ref> Norfolk interviewed two of the affected families, and in January 2011 the first of a series of stories appeared over four pages in ''The Times'', accompanied by an editorial, "Revealed: conspiracy of silence on UK sex gangs".<ref name="NorfolkJan2011">[https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/revealed-conspiracy-of-silence-on-uk-sex-gangs-gpg5vqsqz9h "Revealed: conspiracy of silence on UK sex gangs"], ''The Times'' (editorial), 5 January 2011.{{pb}}
Andrew Norfolk (5 January 2011). [https://www.thetimes.com/best-law-firms/profile-legal/article/some-of-these-men-have-children-the-same-age-they-are-bad-apples-cbhpsj7x5wt "'Some of these men have children the same age; they are bad apples'"], ''The Times''.{{pb}}
Andrew Norfolk (5 January 2011). [https://www.thetimes.com/article/barnardos-demands-inquiry-into-sex-exploitation-of-british-girls-l0k8q33dsrf "Barnardo's demands inquiry into sex exploitation of British girls"], ''The Times''.{{pb}}
[https://www.thetimes.com/article/the-17-cases-identified-by-the-times-which-showed-a-pattern-of-exploitation-rjqz6dbqhsg "The 17 cases identified by The Times which showed a pattern of exploitation"], ''The Times'', 5 January 2011.{{pb}}
Andrew Norfolk, Richard Ford, Greg Hurst (6 January 2011). [https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/calls-for-major-police-inquiry-on-grotesque-sex-gangs-mwscj8gskr9 "Calls for major police inquiry on 'grotesque' sex gangs"], ''The Times''.</ref> Norfolk told the Home Affairs Committee in 2013 that council staff and senior police officers called him to thank him; one director of children's services told him: "My staff are jumping for joy in the office today because finally somebody has said what we have not felt able to say."{{sfn|Home Affairs Committee (b)|2013|loc=80–81}}

===Murder of Laura Wilson===
In 2012, Rotherham Council applied to the [[High Court of Justice|High Court]] for an [[Injunctions in English law|injunction]] to stop Norfolk publishing an unredacted version of a [[serious case review]] written after the murder of a local girl, Laura Wilson.<ref name="Norfolk7June2012" /> Known in the review as "Child S", Wilson was 17 in October 2010 when she was stabbed 40 times and thrown in the canal by her 17-year-old ex-boyfriend, Ashtiaq Asghar, an act the police called an "[[honour killing]]".{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=102}}<ref name="Telegraph17March2012" />{{efn|[[Jayne Senior]] (2016) wrote that one police officer told her: "We've been told we have to take this down the honour-killing route. We can't mention anything to do with CSE [child sexual exploitation] in this investigation."{{sfn|Senior|2016|loc=221}}}} She had had a baby four months earlier by a 21-year-old married man. The families of the men, both Pakistani heritage, had apparently been unaware of the relationships and the existence of the child. Tired of being a secret, Wilson decided to tell them. Days later, the ex-boyfriend murdered her. Both men stood trial; the older man was acquitted, and Asghar was jailed for 17 years and six months.<ref name="Telegraph17March2012">[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/9149929/Teenager-is-first-white-victim-of-honour-killing.html "Teenager is 'first' white victim of honour killing "], ''The Daily Telegraph'', 17 March 2012.</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-18244660 "Laura Wilson murder: Rotherham children's board reports"], ''BBC News'', 29 May 2012.{{pb}}
For length of sentence: Lizze Dearden (30 August 2014). [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/rotherham-abuse-scandal-authorities-decisions-to-take-away-babies-born-to-abused-girls-caused-yet-9701419.html "Rotherham abuse scandal: Authorities' decisions to take away babies born to abused girls caused yet more suffering"], ''The Independent''.</ref>

Assessed as having an [[IQ classification|IQ of 56]] and a reading and spelling age of 6,{{sfn|Cantrill|2011|loc=54}} Wilson had been the target of localised grooming from at least age 11. The council had referred her to Risky Business three months after her 11th birthday,<ref name="Norfolk7June2012" /><ref name="Norfolk2Dec2011">Andrew Norfolk (2 December 2011). [https://www.thetimes.com/best-law-firms/profile-legal/article/murdered-girl-was-victim-of-pakistani-sex-grooming-gang-ld0fhrfsvnz "Murdered girl was victim of Pakistani sex grooming gang"], ''The Times''.</ref>{{sfn|Wilson|McKelvie|2015}} and when she was 13, Wilson and her family had appeared on ''[[The Jeremy Kyle Show]]'' to discuss children who were out of control.{{sfn|Hollington|2013|loc=227}} She had also been mentioned in the 2009 criminal inquiry that led to the [[#2010 trial|first five convictions]] arising out of localised grooming in Rotherham.<ref name="YorkshirePost8June2012" />

The government ordered that the council publish its serious case review. It was published with passages blacked out on 61 of its 144 pages. Norfolk obtained an unredacted version, and found that the council had hidden the men's ethnicity, as well as Wilson's mention during the 2009 criminal inquiry, and the extent of the council's involvement in her care. [[Michael Gove]], then education secretary, accused the council in June 2012 of withholding "relevant and important material".<ref name="YorkshirePost8June2012">[http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/secrecy-bid-over-case-review-of-murdered-mother-17-scrapped-1-4624324 "Secrecy bid over case review of murdered mother, 17, scrapped"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803213840/http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/secrecy-bid-over-case-review-of-murdered-mother-17-scrapped-1-4624324 |date=3 August 2017 }}, ''The Yorkshire Post'', 8 June 2012.</ref> After Gove's intervention, the council withdrew its legal action, and Norfolk published the story under the headline "Officials hid vital facts about men suspected of grooming girl for sex".<ref name="Norfolk7June2012">Andrew Norfolk (7 June 2012). [https://www.thetimes.com/best-law-firms/profile-legal/article/officials-hid-vital-facts-about-men-suspected-of-grooming-girl-for-sex-28ddhlb2jhw "Officials hid vital facts about men suspected of grooming girl for sex"], ''The Times''.{{pb}}
Andres Norfolk (7 June 2012). [https://www.thetimes.com/best-law-firms/profile-legal/article/a-case-of-moral-cowardice-80zcmjp5v9q "A case of moral cowardice"], ''The Times''.</ref><ref name="Norfolk28Aug2014">Andrew Norfolk (28 August 2014). [https://www.thetimes.com/best-law-firms/profile-legal/article/rotherham-child-sex-abuse-how-the-truth-finally-came-out-c2d9wgmwtd6 "Rotherham child sex abuse: How the truth finally came out"], ''The Times''.{{pb}}
Dominic Ponsford (27 August 2014). [http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/girls-suffered-council-obfuscated-says-andrew-norfolk-reported-prompted-times-reveals-least-1400/ "'Girls suffered as council obfuscated' says Times journalist as Jay report reveals 1,400 Rotherham sex gang victims"], ''PressGazette''.</ref>

===September 2012===

On 24 September 2012, Norfolk wrote that the abuse in Rotherham was much more widespread than acknowledged, and that the police had been aware of it for over a decade. His story, "Police files reveal vast child protection scandal", was based on 200 leaked documents, some from [[Jayne Senior]], such as case files and letters from police and social services. The documents included [[#Weir_report_(2001)|Adele Weir]]'s 2001 report for the Home Office, which linked 54 abused children to the Hussain family; 18 of the children had called [[#Arshid Hussain|Arshid Hussain]] their "boyfriend".<ref name="Norfolk24Sept2012" />

Cases highlighted by Norfolk included that of a 15-year-old having a broken bottle inserted into her; a 14-year-old being held in a flat and forced to have sex with five men; and a 13-year-old girl, "with disrupted clothing", found by police in a house at 3 am with a group of men who had given her vodka. A neighbour had called the police after hearing the girl scream. The girl was arrested for being drunk and disorderly, but the men were not questioned.<ref name="Norfolk24Sept2012">{{cite news | first=Andrew |last=Norfolk | url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/police-files-reveal-vast-child-protection-scandal-ffrpdr09vrv | title=Police files reveal vast child protection scandal | work=The Times | date=24 September 2012}}</ref><ref name="BBCTimes">{{cite news|title=South Yorkshire Police deny hiding girls' sex abuse|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-19701760|work=BBC News| date=24 September 2012}}</ref>

The newspaper cited a 2010 report by the police intelligence bureau that said, locally and nationally, and particularly in Sheffield and Rotherham, "there appears to be a significant problem with networks of Asian males exploiting young white females". South Yorkshire children were being trafficked to Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Dover, Manchester, and elsewhere, according to the police report.<ref name="Norfolk24Sept2012" /><ref name="BBCpolice">{{cite news|title=South Yorkshire Police 'must get a grip' on child abuse|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-19966721|work=BBC News| date=16 October 2012}}</ref> A document from Rotherham's Safeguarding Children Board reporting that the "crimes had 'cultural characteristics ... which are locally sensitive in terms of diversity'":

{{blockquote|There are sensitivities of ethnicity with potential to endanger the harmony of community relationships. Great care will be taken in drafting ...this report to ensure that its findings embrace Rotherham's qualities of diversity. It is imperative that suggestions of a wider cultural phenomenon are avoided."<ref name=Norfolk24Sept2012/>}}

In August 2013 Norfolk published the story of a 15-year-old Rotherham girl, later revealed to be [[Sammy Woodhouse]],<ref name="timesNew2018">{{cite news |last1=Norfolk |first1=Andrew |author-link1=Andrew Norfolk |title=Rotherham rape victim reveals new care scandal |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/rotherham-council-invited-paedophile-to-see-his-victim-s-child-jntcgdv3t |newspaper=The Times |access-date=29 November 2018 |date=28 November 2018}}</ref> who had been described in [[#Weir_report_(2001)|Adele Weir's report in 2001]], and who was allowed by social services to maintain contact with [[#Arshid Hussain|Arshid Hussain]], despite having been placed in care by her parents to protect her from him. (Hussain was jailed in 2016 for 35 years.) The girl had been made pregnant twice.{{sfn|Weir|2002|loc=6}} One of those "aware of the relationship", according to the ''Times'', was Jahangir Akhtar, then Rotherham Council's deputy leader, reportedly a relative of Hussain's.<ref name="Norfolk23Aug2013" /> He resigned but denied the claims.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-23820054 "Rotherham councillor Jahangir Akhtar steps down over claims"], ''BBC News'', 13 August 2013.</ref> Akhtar was one of the officials later described in the [[#Casey|Casey report]] as wielding considerable influence on the council and reportedly known for shutting down discussion about the sexual abuse.{{sfn|Casey|2015|loc=29, 36}} Shortly after publication of the ''Times'' story, Rotherham Council commissioned the [[#Jay|Jay inquiry]].<ref name="Norfolk23Aug2013">Andrew Norfolk (23 August 2013). [https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/grooming-scandal-of-child-sex-town-85zd6gsqtg3 "Grooming scandal of child sex town"], ''The Times''.</ref>

== Weir report (2001) ==
=== Home Office pilot study ===
In 2000, solicitor Adele Weir (later Gladman) was hired by Rotherham Council as a research and development officer on a [[Home Office]] Crime Reduction Programme pilot study, "Tackling Prostitution: What Works".{{sfn|Hester|Westmarland|2004}}{{sfn|Weir|2014|loc=¶ 2}}{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=83–84}} A section of the study was devoted to "young people and prostitution", and would cover Bristol, Sheffield and Rotherham. Weir was employed to write the report on Rotherham.{{sfn|Hester|Westmarland|2004|loc=4}} Researchers at the [[University of Bedfordshire]], including the social scientist Margaret Melrose, were involved as Home Office evaluators.{{sfn|Hester|Westmarland|2004|loc=3}} Weir's line manager was the manager of Risky Business, and she was placed in the Risky Business offices in Rotherham's International Centre, where she worked with [[Jayne Senior]].{{sfn|Home Affairs Committee (c)|2014|loc=5}}{{sfn|Senior|2016|loc=96}}{{sfn|Weir|2014|loc=¶ 2}} According to Weir, she encountered "poor professional practice from an early stage" from the council and police; child protection issues were, in her view, "disregarded, dismissed or minimized".{{sfn|Weir|2014|loc=¶ 5}}{{sfn|Home Affairs Committee (c)|2014|loc=5}}

==== Mapping exercise ====
In response to a complaint from police that evidence of child abuse in Rotherham was anecdotal, Weir compiled a 10-page mapping exercise in 2001, showing what appeared to be a local abuse network. In evidence to the Home Affairs Committee in 2014, she said she had found "a small number of suspected abusers who were well known to all significant services in Rotherham."{{sfn|Weir|2014|loc=¶ 4}}{{sfn|Senior|2016|loc=97–98}} Using material obtained by Risky Business, and from health services, social services, police records, a homelessness project, and substance-misuse services, Weir's report included names of suspects, car registration numbers, links to local businesses and people outside the area, and the relationships between the suspects and the girls. The suspects included members of the Hussain family, who were jailed in 2016.{{sfn|Weir|2014|loc=¶ 6}}{{sfn|Senior|2016|loc=98–99}} Weir estimated at that point that there were 270 victims.<ref name="BBC1Sept2014" />

=== Home Office report ===
Weir's report for the Home Office evaluators linked 54 abused children to the Hussain family, as of October 2001. Eighteen children had named one of those men, [[#Arshid Hussain|Arshid Hussain]], then around 25, as their "boyfriend", and several had become pregnant.{{sfn|Weir|2002|loc=6}}<ref name="Bell24Feb2016">Bethan Bell, [https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-35595008 "Rotherham abuse: Hussain brothers 'were infamous'"], ''BBC News'', 24 February 2016.</ref> One girl got pregnant twice when she was 14. She said social workers had expressed concern for the baby but not for her; she said that they maintained her relationship with him was consensual.<ref>"The Rotherham Grooming Scandal", ''Panorama'', BBC, 1 September 2014, 00:06:27.</ref> In February 2016, Arshid Hussain was convicted of multiple rapes and jailed for 35 years.<ref name="BBC26Feb2016">[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-35670538 "Hussain brothers jailed in Rotherham abuse case"], ''BBC News'', 26 February 2016.</ref> The Weir report said that members of the family were "alleged to be responsible for much of the violent crime and drug dealing in the town". They used untraceable mobile phones, had access to expensive cars, were linked to a taxi firm, and may have been involved in [[Bed and breakfast|bed-and-breakfast]] hotels that were used by social services for emergency accommodation. Several girls sent to those hotels had been offered money, as soon as they arrived, if they would have sex with several men. Other girls were targeted at train and bus stations.{{sfn|Weir|2002}}

Weir handed her report to [[South Yorkshire Police]], but was told it was "unhelpful".{{sfn|Senior|2016|loc=102}} According to the Jay Report, one incident was, for Weir, the "final straw". A victim decided to file a complaint with the police. The perpetrators had smashed her parents' windows and broken her brothers' legs to stop her from reporting the rapes. Weir took her to the police station, but the victim received a text from the perpetrator to say he had her 11-year-old sister with him, and it was "your choice". This led the victim to believe someone had told the perpetrator she was at the police station, and she decided not to proceed with the complaint.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=85}} Following this, with the consent of her manager, Weir wrote in October 2001 to Mike Hedges, the Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police, and to Christine Burbeary, the District Commander.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=86}}{{sfn|Senior|2016|loc=102}} The letter said:

{{blockquote|I have been visiting agencies, encouraging them to relay information to the police. Their responses have been identical—they have ceased passing on information as they perceive this to be a waste of time. Parents also have ceased to make missing person reports, a precursor to any child abduction investigation, as the police response is often so inappropriate. ... Children are being left at risk and their abusers unapprehended.{{sfn|Weir|2001}}{{sfn|Senior|2016|loc=103}}}}

The letter was not well received by the council or police.{{sfn|Senior|2016|loc=105–108}}<ref name="yorkshire post">{{cite news |date=16 September 2014 |title=Timeline: How Rotherham grooming scandal unfolded—and how they tried to ignore it |url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/general-news/timeline-how-rotherham-grooming-scandal-unfolded-and-how-they-tried-to-ignore-it-1-6843323 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627065102/http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/general-news/timeline-how-rotherham-grooming-scandal-unfolded-and-how-they-tried-to-ignore-it-1-6843323 |archive-date=27 June 2015 |access-date=16 September 2014 |work=The Yorkshire Post}}</ref> During a meeting at Rotherham police station with senior police and council officials, they seemed incensed that Weir had written to the Chief Constable. Jayne Senior, who was present, said Weir was subjected to a "tirade that lasted I don't know how long".{{sfn|Senior|2016|loc=106}} According to Weir, at some point after this an official warned her against mentioning Asian men and booked a diversity training course for her.{{efn|According to Weir: "She [the official] said you must never refer to that again. You must never refer to Asian men. And her other response was to book me on a two-day ethnicity and diversity course to raise my awareness of ethnic issues.<ref name=BBC1Sept2014>{{cite news|title=Rotherham abuse: Researcher 'faced council hostility'|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-29012571|work=BBC News|date=1 September 2014}}{{pb}}
"The Rotherham Grooming Scandal", ''Panorama'', BBC, 1 September 2014, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOljcx3eGVs&t=10m20s 00:10:15].{{pb}}
Tom Brooks-Pollock (2 September 2014). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11069178/Rotherham-researcher-sent-on-diversity-course-after-raising-alarm.html "Rotherham researcher 'sent on diversity course' after raising alarm"], ''The Daily Telegraph''.</ref>{{sfn|Senior|2016|loc=106}}}}

=== Files removed ===
[[File:Rotherham town centre, September 2016.jpg|thumb|Rotherham town centre, September 2016]]
At their request, Weir sent her data to the Home Office evaluators in Bedfordshire in April 2002, which reportedly upset the Risky Business manager.{{sfn|Weir|2014|loc=¶ 14}} Around 18 April 2002, when she arrived at work, Weir said she discovered her Home Office pilot data had been removed from the Risky Business office.{{efn|[[#Adele Weir|Adele Weir]]{{Broken anchor|date=2025-01-14|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=#Adele Weir|reason= The anchor (Adele Weir) [[Special:Diff/1266774082|has been deleted]].}} (in evidence to the [[Home Affairs Select Committee|Home Affairs Committee]], 2014): "I was told that over the weekend somebody had gained access to the Risky Business office, opened the filing cabinets and removed all of the data relating to the Home Office work. To be clear to the committee that involved accessing the grounds of the International Centre; gaining access to the Centre itself; disarming the alarm; moving through a key coded and locked security door; unlocking the door to the part of the building where the project office was located; unlocking the door to the project office itself; unlocking a desk and finding the keys to the filing cabinets; identifying which filing cabinet had my Home Office pilot data in it; and removing my data but nothing else. There were no signs of a forced entry."{{sfn|Weir|2014|loc=¶ 15}}{{sfn|Home Affairs Committee (c)|2014|loc=5–6}}{{sfn|Senior|2016|loc=109–116}}<ref name=BBC29660345/><ref>{{cite news|title=MPs seek hidden files on Rotherham sex-grooming|first=Andrew |last=Norfolk|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/mps-seek-hidden-files-on-rotherham-sex-grooming-n8ljqhw5hh8|newspaper=The Times|date=9 January 2013}}</ref><ref name=Norfolk29Aug2014>Andrew Norfolk and Billy Kenber (29 August 2014). [https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/rotherham-seized-files-in-grooming-cover-up-gpbxhrq8dn7 "Rotherham 'seized files in grooming cover up'"], ''The Times''.</ref><ref name="DataStolen">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/sep/01/home-office-rotherham-child-abuse-research-stolen-claim-panorama |title=Home Office worker investigating Rotherham child abuse 'had data stolen' |first=Martin |last=Williams |work=The Guardian |date= 1 September 2014 }}</ref><ref name=Harley29Aug2014>{{cite news |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11062758/Scandal-hit-Rotherham-deleted-abuse-files.html |title=Scandal hit Rotherham 'deleted abuse files' |first=Nicky |last=Harley|date= 29 August 2014 |work=The Daily Telegraph }}</ref>}} According to Weir's evidence to the Home Affairs Committee, documents had been deleted. She also said that someone had created, on the password-protected office computer, the minutes of meetings that Weir had purportedly attended, which showed her agreeing to certain conditions, such as not submitting data to Home Office evaluators without her line manager's consent. Weir told the committee that she had not agreed to those conditions or attended any such meeting. She said one of the meetings had taken place while she was on holiday overseas.{{sfn|Weir|2014|loc=¶ 16}}

Weir was told that social services, the police and education staff had met over the weekend, and had decided that Risky Business staff were "exceeding [their] roles".{{sfn|Weir|2014|loc=¶ 26–27}} Weir was suspended for an "act of gross misconduct" after having included in her report data from confidential minutes, but she reportedly negotiated a return to work by demonstrating her manager had passed those minutes to the Home Office evaluators.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=86}} She was told she would no longer have access to Risky Business data, meetings, or the girls. In June 2002 she was asked to amend her report to "anonymise individuals and institutions and only include facts and evidence that you are able to substantiate".{{sfn|Weir|2014|loc=¶ 26–27}} The Jay Report said the secrecy surrounding the report and the treatment of Weir was "deeply troubling": "If the senior people concerned had paid more attention to the content of the report, more might have been done to help children who were being violently exploited and abused."{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=87}}<ref>Also see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMVhKw01vbA "Interview with Hilary Willmer"], ([[Parents Against Child Sexual Exploitation]]), Channel 4 News, 1 September 2014.</ref>

== Heal reports (2002–2006) ==
=== 2002 report ===
[[File:South Yorkshire Police headquarters, Sheffield.jpg|thumb|[[South Yorkshire Police]] headquarters, Snig Hill, [[Sheffield]]]]
In 2002–2007 South Yorkshire Police hired Angie Heal, a strategic drugs analyst, to carry out research on drug use and supply in the area.{{sfn|Gladman|Heal|2017|loc=24}} Working in the drug strategy unit with two police officers, Heal wrote several reports during this period.{{sfn|Gladman|Heal|2017|loc=27}}{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=87}} She first encountered examples of organised child sexual abuse in 2002 while researching the local supply of [[crack cocaine]], and consulted Jayne Senior of Risky Business and Anne Lucas, the child exploitation service officer in Sheffield. Lucas explained that part of the grooming process was to give the children drugs.{{sfn|Gladman|Heal|2017|loc=24–25}} Heal's first report in 2002 recommended dealing with the child-abuse rings; if the evidence was lacking to prosecute for sex offences, they could be prosecuted for drugs offences instead. Heal wrote in 2017 that her report was widely read, but she "could not believe the complete lack of interest" in the links she had provided between the local drug trade and child abuse.{{sfn|Gladman|Heal|2017|loc=24–25}}

=== 2003 report ===
Heal decided to continue researching the issue and included CSE in her bi-annual intelligence briefings. While Heal was preparing her second report, ''Sexual Exploitation, Drug Use and Drug Dealing: Current Situation in South Yorkshire'' (2003), Jayne Senior secretly shared with her Adele Weir's Home Office report from 2002. Heal wrote that she actually felt scared after she had read it, given the level of detail, the lack of interest, and the sidelining of Weir.{{sfn|Gladman|Heal|2017|loc=26}} Heal's 2003 report noted that Rotherham had a "significant number of girls and some boys who are being sexually exploited"; that the victims were being gang raped, kidnapped and subjected to other violence; that a significant number had become pregnant, and were depressed, angry and self-harming; and that Risky Business had identified four of the perpetrators as brothers.{{sfn|Heal|2003}}{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=88}} Heal created two versions of her report. One was for wider distribution among officials; the second, for the police alone, contained the names of the perpetrators, obtained from Risky Business.{{sfn|Heal|2014}}<ref>Chris Burn (5 May 2015). [http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/exclusive-south-yorkshire-police-given-list-of-key-sheffield-and-rotherham-abuse-suspects-in-2003-1-7243228 "Exclusive: South Yorkshire Police given list of key Sheffield and Rotherham abuse suspects in 2003"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426060054/http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/exclusive-south-yorkshire-police-given-list-of-key-sheffield-and-rotherham-abuse-suspects-in-2003-1-7243228 |date=26 April 2017 }}, ''The Star'' (Rotherham).</ref>

=== 2006 report ===
In 2005, a new department of children and young people's services was created, with Councillor [[Shaun Wright]] appointed [[Executive arrangements|cabinet member]] for the department.<ref name="BBCNews5May2015" /> In March 2006, the conference "Every Child Matters, But Do They Know it?" was held in Rotherham to discuss children's sexual exploitation.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=9}} Heal's third report, ''Violence and Gun Crime: Links with Sexual Exploitation, Prostitution and Drug Markets in South Yorkshire'' (2006), noted that the situation was continuing and involved "systematic physical and sexual violence against young women". The victims were being trafficked to other towns, and the violence used was "very severe". If the girls protested, the perpetrators threatened to involve the girls' younger sisters, friends and family.{{sfn|Heal|2006|loc=10–11}} There had also been an increase in reports of the perpetrators being seen with guns.{{sfn|Heal|2006|loc=12}}

In Heal's study, the majority of identified victims in Yorkshire were [[White British]] girls, targeted from age 11; the average age was 12–13. [[British Asian]] girls were also targeted, but even less was known about the number of Asian victims, because their abuse was not part of the same scene, and therefore poorly understood by researchers. The most significant group of perpetrators of localised grooming were British Asian men. Heal wrote that several employees dealing with the issue believed that the perpetrators' ethnicity was preventing the abuse from being addressed.{{sfn|Heal|2006|loc=14, 16–17}}{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=88–89}} One worker said that British-Asian taxi drivers in Rotherham had been involved for 30 years, but in the 1970s the crimes had not been organised. Heal added that a high-profile publicity campaign was underway about the trafficking of women from Eastern Europe, with posters in [[Doncaster Sheffield Airport]], while the issue of local trafficking "appears to be largely ignored".{{sfn|Heal|2006|loc=18}} The report recommended: "More emphasis should be placed on tackling the abusers, rather than the abused."{{sfn|Heal|2006|loc=18}}

Heal sent her 2006 report to everyone involved in the Rotherham Drugs Partnership,{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=9}} and to the South Yorkshire Police district commander and chief superintendents.<ref name="BBCNews5May2015">[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-32586558 "Rotherham abuse warning reports released"], ''BBC News'', 5 May 2015.</ref><ref name="key dates">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28955170 |title=Rotherham abuse scandal: Key dates |work=BBC News |date= 2 September 2014 }}</ref> Shortly after this, according to the Jay report, Risky Business's funding was increased, and the council's Safeguarding Children Board approved an "Action Plan for responding to the sexual exploitation of children and young people in Rotherham".{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=9}} Heal said that, around this time, it became clear she was being sidelined. The drug strategy unit was disbanded, and she was told that several officers in her department were not supportive of her work. She has said the lack of support "will never fail to astonish and sadden" her. She left the South Yorkshire Police in March 2007. Her 2003 and 2006 reports were released by South Yorkshire Police in May 2015 following a [[Freedom of Information Act 2000|Freedom of Information Act]] request.{{sfn|Gladman|Heal|2017|loc=27–28}}{{sfn|Heal|2003}}{{sfn|Heal|2006}}

== Home Affairs Committee (2013–2014) {{anchor|Home}} ==

=== Initial hearing and report (2013) ===
The House of Commons [[Home Affairs Select Committee|Home Affairs Committee]] began hearing evidence about localised grooming in June 2012, as a result of the [[#2010 convictions|Rotherham convictions in 2010]] (Operation Central), Andrew Norfolk's articles in the ''Times'', and the [[Rochdale child sex abuse ring]] (Operation Span), which saw 12 men convicted in May 2012.{{sfn|Home Affairs Committee (a)|2013|loc=3–4, 19}} The committee published its report, ''Child sexual exploitation and the response to localised grooming'', in June 2013, with a follow-up in October 2014 in response to the [[#Jay|Jay report]].

[[File:Keith Vaz, 2016 Labour Party Conference.jpg|thumb|left|[[Keith Vaz]], chair of the [[Home Affairs Select Committee|Home Affairs Committee]], 2007–2016]]
In October 2012 the committee criticised South Yorkshire's chief constable, [[David Crompton]], and one of its senior officers, Philip Etheridge.<ref name="BBCpolice" /> The committee heard evidence that three members of a family connected with the abuse of 61 girls had not been charged, and no action was taken when a 22-year-old man was found in a car with a 12-year-old girl, with indecent images of her on his phone. Crompton said that "ethnic origin" was not a factor in deciding whether to charge suspects. The committee said that they were very concerned, as was the public.<ref name="BBCpolice" /> In January 2013 the committee summoned the head of Rotherham Council, Martin Kimber, to explain the lack of arrests, despite South Yorkshire Police saying it was conducting investigations and the council having identified 58 young girls at risk.<ref name="BBCsorry">{{cite news |date=8 January 2013 |title=Rotherham council apologises to child grooming victims |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-20951491 |work=BBC News}}</ref> committee chair, [[Keith Vaz]], questioned why, after five Asian men were jailed in 2010, more was not done: "In Lancashire there were 100 prosecutions the year before last, in South Yorkshire there were no prosecutions." The council apologised for the "systemic failure" that had "let down" the victims.<ref name="BBCsorry" />

During a hearing in September 2014 to discuss Rotherham, Vaz told Crompton that the committee was shocked by the evidence, and that it held South Yorkshire Police responsible. Asked about an incident in which a 13-year-old found in a flat with a group of men was arrested for being drunk and disorderly, Crompton said it would be referred to the [[Independent Police Complaints Commission]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-29125890 "Ex Rotherham police chief 'failed' abuse victims"], ''BBC News'', 9 September 2014.</ref>

=== Follow-up report (2014) ===
The committee's follow-up report on 18 October 2014 detailed the [[#Files|disappearance of Adele Weir's files]] containing data on the abuse from the Risky Business office in 2002.{{sfn|Home Affairs Committee (c)|2014|loc=5–6}}<ref name="BBC29660345">{{cite news |date=18 October 2014 |title=Rotherham abuse scandal: MPs want missing files answers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29660345 |work=BBC News}}</ref> The allegations were made in private hearings. Keith Vaz said: "The proliferation of revelations about files which can no longer be located gives rise to public suspicion of a deliberate cover-up. The only way to address these concerns is with a full, transparent and urgent investigation." The report called for new legislation to allow the removal of elected [[Police and Crime Commissioners]] following a vote of no confidence.<ref name="BBC29660345" />

== Jay Report (2014)==
In October 2013, Rotherham Council commissioned [[Alexis Jay]], a former chief social work adviser to the [[Scottish government]], to conduct an independent inquiry into [[Rotherham Council]]'s handling of [[Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom#Group-based child sexual exploitation|child sexual exploitation]] reports since 1997.{{sfn|Jay|2014}}<ref name="BBC1Nov2013">{{cite news |date=1 November 2013 |title=Alexis Jay will lead child abuse failings probe at Rotherham |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-24771229 |work=BBC News}}</ref> The '''Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham''', or '''Jay Report''', was published on 26 August 2014. It said that, as a "conservative estimate", at least 1,400 children had been sexually exploited in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013.{{efn|[[#Report|Jay report]] (2014): "...the Inquiry concluded that an at least 1400 children were sexually exploited between 1997 and 2013. This is likely to be a conservative estimate of the true scale of the problem. We are unable to assess the numbers of other children who may have been at risk of exploitation, or those who were exploited but not known to any agency. This includes some who were forced to witness other children being assaulted and abused."{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=29–30}}}} According to the report, children as young as 11 were "raped by multiple perpetrators, abducted, trafficked to other cities in England, beaten and intimidated".{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=35}}<ref name="Peachey26Aug2014">{{cite news |last=Peachey |first=Paul |date=26 August 2014 |title=Rotherham child abuse report finds 1,400 children subjected to 'appalling' sexual exploitation within 16-year period |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/rotherham-child-abuse-report-finds-1400-children-subjected-to-appalling-sexual-exploitation-within-16year-period-9691825.html |work=The Independent}}</ref>

Taxi drivers were a "common thread", picking up children for sex from schools and care homes.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=71–74}}<ref>{{cite news |first=Homa |last=Khaleeli|title=Rotherham: 'It's sad that it's taken something so horrific to give voice to these girls' |newspaper=The Guardian |date=3 September 2014 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/sep/03/rotherham-you-cant-blame-all-of-us}}</ref> The inquiry team found examples of extreme threats, violence and rape.{{efn|Reports included "a child [who] was doused in petrol and threatened with being set alight, children who were threatened with guns, children who witnessed brutally violent rapes and were threatened that they would be the next victim if they told anyone. Girls as young as 11 were raped by large numbers of male perpetrators, one after the other."{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=36}}<ref name="BBC26Aug2014">{{cite news |date=26 August 2014 |title=Rotherham child abuse scandal: 1,400 children exploited, report finds |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-28939089 |work=BBC News}}</ref>}} According to the report, one child withdrew her statements after she received a text threatening her sister. At least two other families were intimidated and felt unable to go to the police.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=36}} According to the report, the police had shown a lack of respect for the victims in the early 2000s, deeming them "undesirables" unworthy of police protection.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=69}} The concerns of [[Jayne Senior]], the former youth worker, were met with "indifference and scorn".<ref name="WSJ22May2014">{{cite news |last1=Coker |first1=Margaret |last2=Flynn |first2=Alexis |date=22 May 2015 |title=One Woman's Crusade for U.K. Town's Young Rape Victims |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/one-womans-crusade-for-u-k-towns-young-rape-victims-1432324162 |work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=14 October 2014 |title=Charity worker who fought to expose Rotherham child abuse to work for victims |url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/politics/charity-worker-who-fought-to-expose-rotherham-child-abuse-to-work-for-victims-1-6895763 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626164051/http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/politics/charity-worker-who-fought-to-expose-rotherham-child-abuse-to-work-for-victims-1-6895763 |archive-date=26 June 2015 |access-date=20 May 2016 |work=The Yorkshire Post}}</ref> Several council staff described themselves as being nervous about identifying the ethnic origins of perpetrators for fear of being thought racist, since most were of Pakistani heritage; others, the report said, "remembered clear direction from their managers" not to make such identification.<ref name="johnson">Becky Johnson, "[https://news.sky.com/story/horrific-cases-of-child-abuse-in-rotherham-10391876 'Horrific' cases of child abuse in Rotherham]", Sky News, 26 August 2014.</ref>

The report noted the experience of [[#Adele Weir|Adele Weir]], the [[Home Office]] researcher, who attempted to raise concerns about the abuse with senior police officers in 2002; she was told not to do so again, and was subsequently sidelined.<ref name="Peachey26Aug2014" /> In some instances, fathers who had tracked down their daughters and tried to remove them from houses where they were being abused were themselves arrested by police.<ref name="e766">{{cite news |date=30 August 2014 |title=See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil |url=https://www.economist.com/britain/2014/08/30/see-no-evil-hear-no-evil-speak-no-evil |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200229035357/https://www.economist.com/britain/2014/08/30/see-no-evil-hear-no-evil-speak-no-evil |archive-date=29 February 2020 |access-date=1 January 2025 |newspaper=The Economist}}</ref> Staff described Rotherham Council as macho, sexist and bullying. There were sexist and harassing comments to female employees, particularly during 1997–2009. The Jay report noted that "[t]he existence of such a culture ... is likely to have impeded the Council from providing an effective, corporate response to such a highly sensitive social problem as child sexual exploitation."{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=114–115}} Several people who spoke to the Jay inquiry were concerned that Rotherham Council officials were connected to the perpetrators through business interests such as the taxi firm; the police said there was no evidence of this.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=113}}

=== Ethnic, religious and cultural factors ===
The Jay Report did not specify the ethnicity of the victims or the perpetrators, but it said: "In a large number of the historic cases in particular, most of the victims in the cases we sampled were white British children, and the majority of the perpetrators were from minority ethnic communities."{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=35}} It also described other, less investigated cases in which Asian women and girls were the primary victims,<ref>{{harvnb|Jay|2014|p=94|}}</ref> despite the belief that the victims were only white. Social isolation and fear of dishonour prevented Asian victims from coming forward.<ref>{{harvnb|Jay|2014|p=94}}</ref> The report further said that "there is no simple link between race and child sexual exploitation, and across the UK the greatest numbers of perpetrators of CSE are white men".{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=91,94}} The ethnicity of offenders has also increased community tensions and led to far-right marches and violence in the town. An 81-year-old man was murdered by two white men who called him a "groomer" as they attacked him.<ref name="dearden 2024">{{cite news| last1=Lizzie Dearden|title=Rotherham grooming gangs may have abused more than 1,500 victims, investigators reveal |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/rotherham-grooming-gangs-1500-victims-investigation-police-national-crime-agency-pakistani-white-latest-court-a8219971.html|access-date=14 September 2024|website=Independent}}</ref>

==== Underreporting due to ethnicity, religion or culture ====
According to the Muslim Women's Network UK, cited in the Jay Report, Asian victims may be particularly vulnerable to threats of bringing shame and dishonour to their families,<ref>{{cite web |last=Topping |first=Alexandra |date=10 September 2013 |title=Abuse of Asian girls missed because of focus on white victims, says report |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/sep/10/abuse-asian-girls-missed-white-victims |website=The Guardian}}</ref> and may have believed that reporting the abuse would be an admission they had violated their cultural beliefs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shabnam Mahmood |date=24 November 2014 |title=Yorkshire Muslim girl speaks of grooming ordeal |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-30152240 |access-date=13 February 2018 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Khaleeli |first=Homa |date=3 September 2014 |title=Rotherham: 'It's sad that it's taken something so horrific to give voice to these girls' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/sep/03/rotherham-you-cant-blame-all-of-us |website=The Guardian}}</ref> One of the local Pakistani women's groups had described Pakistani girls being targeted by Pakistani taxi drivers and landlords, but they feared reporting to the police out of concerns for their marriage prospects.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=95}} The report suggested "the under-reporting of exploitation and abuse in minority ethnic communities" should be addressed.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=95}}

In response to claims that social services had failed to act through [[political correctness]], the Jay Report "found no evidence of children's social care staff being influenced by concerns about the ethnic origins of suspected perpetrators when dealing with individual child protection cases, including CSE".{{sfn|Jay|2014|page=91}} In 2021, an investigation by the ''Times'' suggested [[South Yorkshire Police]] was not routinely recording the ethnicity of child sexual abuse suspects. In Rotherham, police omitted suspect ethnicity in 67% of cases. The force said it had increased reporting of ethnicity since 2019.<ref>{{cite news |date=30 December 2021 |title=Rotherham grooming: South Yorkshire Police not recording ethnicity |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-59828338 |access-date=20 April 2023 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

=== Aftermath ===
Following the Jay Report, [[Roger Stone (councillor)|Roger Stone]], Labour leader of Rotherham Council, and Martin Kimber, its chief executive, both resigned.<ref>{{cite news |date=8 September 2014 |title=Rotherham child abuse: Martin Kimber, council chief exec, to step down |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29109918 |work=BBC News}}</ref> Joyce Thacker, the council's director of children's services, and [[Shaun Wright]], the [[Police and Crime Commissioner]] (PCC) for South Yorkshire Police from 2012—and Labour councillor in charge of child safety at the council from 2005 to 2010—stepped down in September 2014, under pressure. Wright was asked to step down by [[Theresa May]], then [[Home Secretary]], as well as by members of his own party, including Rotherham's Labour MP [[Sarah Champion (politician)|Sarah Champion]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Pidd |first=Helen |date=27 August 2014 |title=Shaun Wright's record in Rotherham comes under uncomfortable scrutiny |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/aug/27/rotherham-abuse-stark-evidence-ignored-by-police-and-council |newspaper=The Guardian}}{{pb}}
{{cite news |date=16 September 2014 |title=PCC Shaun Wright resigns over Rotherham child abuse scandal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29220535 |work=BBC News}}{{pb}}
{{cite web |date=19 September 2014 |title=Rotherham abuse scandal: Children's services director Joyce Thacker quits |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29286638 |work=BBC News}}</ref> He resigned from the Labour Party, on 27 August 2014, after an ultimatum by the party to do so or face suspension.<ref>{{cite news |date=27 August 2014 |title=Rotherham child abuse: Police commissioner quits Labour |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28962144 |work=BBC News}}{{pb}}
{{cite news |date=27 August 2014 |title=Police Commissioner Shaun Wright Will Be Suspended By Labour If He Does Not Resign |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/08/27/south-yorkshires-police-commissioner-shaun-wright-will-be-suspended-by-labour-if-he-does-not-resign_n_5725408.html |newspaper=Huffington Post (UK)}}</ref>

Roger Stone was suspended from the Labour Party, as were councillors Gwendoline Russell and Shaukat Ali, and former deputy council leader Jahangir Akhtar, who had lost his council seat in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |date=2 September 2014 |title=Labour party members suspended over abuse scandal |url=http://www.itv.com/news/calendar/update/2014-09-02/councillors-suspended-over-sex-abuse-scandal/ |publisher=ITV News}}</ref> Malcolm Newsam was appointed as Children's Social Care Commissioner in October 2014, and subsequently Ian Thomas was appointed as interim director of children's services.<ref>[http://www.rotherham.gov.uk/news/article/268/rotherham_borough_councils_response_to_department_of_education_announcement Rotherham BC, "Rotherham Borough Council's response to Department of Education announcement"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402135229/http://www.rotherham.gov.uk/news/article/268/rotherham_borough_councils_response_to_department_of_education_announcement|date=2 April 2015}}, 7 October 2014.</ref><ref name="gdn171214">{{cite news |last=Pidd |first=Helen |date=17 December 2014 |title=Incoming Rotherham children's chief: 'It's the most difficult job in Britain' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/dec/17/ian-thomas-rotherham-childrens-services-sexual-abuse-difficult-job |work=The Guardian}}</ref>

=== Reception ===
[[File:Denis MacShane, February 2008 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Denis MacShane]]]]
The Jay Report received extensive news coverage.{{sfn|Boyd|2015|loc=7–8}} In response, David Crompton, Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police from 2012 to 2016, invited the [[National Crime Agency]] to conduct an independent inquiry.<ref name="NCA18Dec2014" /> [[Keith Vaz]], then chair of the Home Affairs Committee, told [[Meredydd Hughes]], Chief Constable from 2004 to 2011, that Hughes had failed abuse victims.<ref>{{cite web |date=9 September 2014 |title=Ex Rotherham police chief 'failed' abuse victims |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-29125890 |work=BBC News}}</ref> [[Theresa May]], then [[Home Secretary]], accused the authorities of a "dereliction of duty". She blamed several factors, including Rotherham Council's "institutionalised political correctness", inadequate scrutiny and culture of covering things up, combined with a fear of being seen as racist and a "disdainful attitude" toward the children.{{efn|name=MayCommons|[[Theresa May]] (2 September 2014): "Professor Alexis Jay's report into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013 is a terrible account of the appalling failures by Rotherham council, the police and other agencies to protect vulnerable children. What happened was a complete dereliction of duty. ... My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government shares my concerns over the failings by Rotherham council that have been identified. This includes the inadequate scrutiny by councillors, institutionalised political correctness, the covering up of information and the failure to take action against gross misconduct. ... I am clear that cultural concerns—both the fear of being seen as racist and the disdainful attitude to some of our most vulnerable children—must never stand in the way of child protection."<ref name=May2Sept2014>Theresa May (2 September 2014). [https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2014-09-02/debates/14090236000001/ChildSexAbuse "Child Sex Abuse (Rotherham)"], ''Hansard'', vol. 585.</ref>}} [[Denis MacShane]], [[Member of Parliament|MP]] for [[Rotherham (UK Parliament constituency)|Rotherham]] from [[1994 Rotherham by-election|1994]] until his resignation in [[2012 Rotherham by-election|2012]] for claiming false expenses, blamed a culture of "not wanting to rock the multicultural community boat".<ref name="Rayner27Aug2014">Gordon Rayner (27 August 2014). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11059643/Denis-MacShane-I-was-too-much-of-a-liberal-leftie-and-should-have-done-more-to-investigate-child-abuse.html "Denis MacShane: I was too much of a 'liberal leftie' and should have done more to investigate child abuse"], ''The Daily Telegraph''.{{pb}}
[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-25492017 "Denis MacShane jailed for MP expenses fraud"], ''BBC News'', 23 December 2013.</ref> [[Simon Danczuk]], Labour MP for [[Rochdale (UK Parliament constituency)|Rochdale]], where [[Rochdale child sex abuse ring|similar cases]] were prosecuted, argued that ethnicity, class and the night-time economy were all factors, adding that "a very small minority" in the Asian community have an unhealthy view of women, and that an "unhealthy brand of politics 'imported' from Pakistan", which involved "looking after your own", was partly to blame.<ref>{{cite news |last=Chakelian |first=Anoosh |date=28 August 2014 |title=How have MPs dealt with cases like the Rotherham child abuse scandal in the past? |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2014/08/how-mps-have-dealt-past-similar-cases-rotherham-child-abuse-scandal |newspaper=New Statesman}}</ref><ref name="Danczuk1">{{cite news |last=Bingham |first=John |date=31 August 2014 |title=Rotherham: politics 'imported from Pakistan' fuelled sex abuse cover-up – MP |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/11066646/Rotherham-politics-imported-from-Pakistan-fuelled-sex-abuse-cover-up-MP.html |work=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref>

[[File:Nazir Afzal OBE (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Nazir Afzal]]]]
British [[Muslim]]s and members of the British-Pakistani community condemned both the abuse and that it had been covered up.<ref>Trevor Grundy (28 August 2014). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/political-correctness-about-muslims-may-have-led-uk-officials-to-ignore-reports-of-sex-abuse/2014/08/28/c11721b6-2edb-11e4-be9e-60cc44c01e7f_story.html "Political correctness about Muslims may have led UK officials to ignore reports of sex abuse"], ''The Washington Post''.{{pb}}
{{cite news |date=27 August 2014 |title=Real or imagined: Racism 'fear' over Rotherham child abuse |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-28951612 |work=BBC News}}</ref> [[Nazir Afzal]], Chief Crown Prosecutor of the [[Crown Prosecution Service]] (CPS) for [[North West England]] from 2011 to 2015, made the decision in 2011 to prosecute the [[Rochdale child sex abuse ring]] after the CPS had turned the case down.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wertheimer |first=Fay |date=21 November 2012 |title=Nazir Afzal: how the CPS plans to bring more child abusers to justice |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/nov/21/nazir-afzal-cps-child-abuse |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Responding to the Jay Report, he said the abuse had no basis in [[Islam]]: "Islam says that alcohol, drugs, rape and abuse are all forbidden, yet these men were surrounded by all of these things."<ref name="Gentleman3Sept2014">{{cite news |last1=Gentleman |first1=Amelia |date=3 September 2014 |title=Nazir Afzal: 'There is no religious basis for the abuse in Rotherham' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/sep/03/nazir-afzal-there-is-no-religious-basis-for-the-abuse-in-rotherham |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Afzal suggested the cases were about male power: "It is not the abusers' race that defines them. It is their attitude to women that defines them." He also said the handling of the cases was a matter of incompetence rather than [[political correctness]], and said that the nature of the night-time economy skewed the picture—more Pakistani-heritage men work at night and might therefore be more involved in that kind of activity.<ref name="Gentleman3Sept2014" /> The incoming director of children's services in Rotherham, Ian Thomas, said that the "night-time economy is full of white blokes".<ref name="gdn171214" /> Alexis Jay said that working in the night-time economy "presents an opportunity but it doesn't present a motive".<ref name="Pidd13July2015" />

The UK [[Hindu Council UK|Hindu Council]] and the [[Sikh Federation (UK)|Sikh Federation]] asked that the perpetrators be described as Pakistani Muslims, rather than Asian.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dearden |first=Lizzie |date=28 February 2016 |title=Sikh group calls for politicians and media to stop using term 'Asian' to describe Rotherham grooming gang |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/sikh-group-calls-for-politicians-and-media-to-stop-using-term-asian-to-describe-rotherham-grooming-a6901166.html |work=The Independent}}</ref> Far-right groups [[Britain First]] and the [[English Defence League]] staged protests in Rotherham, as did [[Unite Against Fascism]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Palmer |first=Ewan |date=28 August 2014 |title=Rotherham Child Abuse Scandal: EDL and Britain First Stage Protests Following 'Appalling' Report |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/rotherham-child-abuse-scandal-edl-britain-first-stage-protests-following-appalling-report-1463039 |work=[[International Business Times]]}}{{pb}}
{{cite news |last=Williams |first=Martin |date=13 September 2014 |title=EDL supporters attack police during Rotherham sex abuse protest |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/sep/13/edl-english-defence-league-protesters-attack-police-rotherham-demonstration |work=The Guardian}}</ref>

== Casey inquiry (2015){{anchor|Casey}} ==
Following the Jay report, the [[Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government]], [[Eric Pickles]], commissioned an independent inspection of Rotherham Council.{{sfn|Casey|2015|loc=6}} Led by [[Louise Casey]], director-general of the government's [[Troubled Families]] programme, the inspection examined the council's governance, services for children and young people, and taxi and private-hire licensing.<ref name="bbc29151234">{{cite web |date=10 September 2014 |title=Rotherham Council to be subject of independent inspection |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-29151234 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

Published in February 2015, the Casey report concluded that Rotherham Council was "not fit for purpose".{{sfn|Casey|2015|loc=9}} Casey identified a culture of "bullying, sexism ... and misplaced 'political correctness'", along with a history of covering up information and silencing [[whistleblower]]s. The child-sexual-exploitation team was poorly directed, suffered from excessive case loads, and did not share information.{{sfn|Casey|2015|loc=9, 11}} The council had a history of failing to deal with issues around race: "Staff perceived that there was only a small step between mentioning the ethnicity of perpetrators and being labelled a racist."{{sfn|Casey|2015|loc=34}} The Pakistani-heritage councillors were left to deal with all issues pertaining to that community, which left them able to exert disproportionate influence, while white councillors ignored their responsibilities. Councillor Jahangir Akhtar, in particular, was named as too influential, including regarding police matters.{{sfn|Casey|2015|loc=32–34}}

In February 2015, the government replaced its elected officers with a team of five commissioners, including one tasked specifically with looking at children's services.<ref name="bbc31130750" /> Files relating to one current and one former councillor identifying "a number of potentially criminal matters" were passed to the [[National Crime Agency]]. The leader of the council, Paul Lakin, resigned, and members of the council cabinet also stood down.<ref name="bbc31130750" />

== Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation (2020) ==
The [[Independent Police Complaints Commission]] (IPCC) began an investigation into allegations of police wrongdoing following the Jay report. It was the second-largest inquiry the IPCC has undertaken after the inquiry into the 1989 [[Hillsborough disaster|Hillsborough football disaster]] in Sheffield; that game was policed by South Yorkshire Police. As of March 2017 nine inquiries were complete, with no case to answer regarding officer conduct, but recommendations were made to the force about the recording of information. Another 53 investigations were underway.<ref>[https://www.ipcc.gov.uk/news/ipcc-begins-concluding-some-rotherham-csa-investigations "IPCC begins concluding some Rotherham CSA investigations"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806222923/https://www.ipcc.gov.uk/news/ipcc-begins-concluding-some-rotherham-csa-investigations|date=6 August 2017}}, IPCC, 8 March 2017.{{pb}}
Nazia Parveen (9 March 2017). [https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/mar/09/rotherham-sexual-abuse-scandal-no-misconduct-found-so-far-ipcc-says "Rotherham sexual abuse scandal: no misconduct found so far, IPCC says"], ''The Guardian''.</ref>

According to Andrew Norfolk in ''The Times'', one Rotherham police officer had been in regular contact with one of the perpetrators. In one incident in March 2000, he and a local taxi driver—who later became a Rotherham councillor—are alleged to have arranged for [[#Arshid Hussain|Arshid Hussain]], arguably the gang's ringleader, to hand a girl over to police at a petrol station "in exchange for immunity".<ref>Andrew Norfolk (16 January 2016). [https://www.thetimes.com/uk/law/article/rotherham-boss-helped-broker-deal-over-girl-zkj9xjzrgpl "Rotherham boss 'helped broker deal over girl'"], ''The Times''.{{pb}}
Andrew Norfolk (5 February 2015). [https://www.thetimes.com/best-law-firms/profile-legal/article/jahangir-akhtar-kingpin-who-had-influence-over-police-0kdgx9d8kxz "Rotherham: politicians and police 'abused girls'"], ''The Times''.</ref><ref name="OCarrollHalliday25Feb2016">Lisa O'Carroll and Josh Halliday (25 February 2016). [https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/feb/25/how-a-rotherham-gang-with-history-of-criminality-abused-vulnerable-girls "How a Rotherham gang with history of criminality abused vulnerable girls"], ''The Guardian''.</ref> Another complaint concerned the same officer, who reportedly asked two of the victims out on a date. One victim reported this to police in August 2013, but no action was taken. The IPCC was also investigating the officer who failed to act on the report.<ref name="YPost6Feb2015">[http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/rotherham-pc-implicated-in-child-sex-scandal-dies-after-car-crash-1-7093276 "Rotherham Pc implicated in child sex scandal dies after car crash"], ''The Yorkshire Post'', 6 February 2015.{{pb}}
Martin Evans (6 February 2015). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11395663/PC-under-investigation-over-Rotherham-sex-abuse-scandal-dies-in-crash.html "PC under investigation over Rotherham sex abuse scandal dies in crash"], ''The Daily Telegraph''.{{pb}}
[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-39006994 "Man cleared over Rotherham PC's car crash death"], ''BBC News'', 17 February 2017.</ref><ref>Andrew Norfolk (19 December 2015). [https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/rotherham-detective-had-sex-with-girls-grooming-trial-told-zc79xv03c7f "Rotherham detective had sex with girls, grooming trial told"], ''The Times'', 19 December 2015.</ref> The first officer died in January 2015 after being hit by a car in Sheffield, in an unrelated accident.<ref name="YPost6Feb2015" />

A five-year investigation by the [[Independent Office for Police Conduct]] (IOPC) found that the Rotherham police ignored the sexual abuse of children for decades for fear of increasing racial tensions. The IOPC upheld a complaint from the father of one of the victims that police took "insufficient action". The complainant claims he was told by a police officer the town "would erupt" if it became known that Asian men were regularly sexually abusing underage girls.<ref>{{cite news |last=Chief Investigative Reporter |first=Andrew Norfolk |date=18 January 2020 |title=Rotherham police chief: we ignored sex abuse of children |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/police-chief-we-ignored-sex-abuse-of-children-hgrhc358v |access-date=24 January 2020 |work=The Times |issn=0140-0460}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=18 January 2020 |title=Rotherham child sex abuse victim 'vindicated' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-51160707 |access-date=24 January 2020 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=18 January 2020 |title=Rotherham police did not do enough to protect girls from abuse by Asian men, says watchdog |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/01/18/rotherham-police-did-not-do-enough-protect-girls-abuse-asian/ |access-date=24 January 2020 |work=The Telegraph |issn=0307-1235 |agency=Press Association}}</ref>

== Home Office Report (2020) ==
The Rotherham case was among several cases which prompted investigations into the claim that the majority of perpetrators from grooming gangs were British Pakistani. The first, by [[Quilliam (think tank)|Quilliam]], was published in December 2017, and claimed 84% of offenders were of South Asian heritage.<ref>{{cite news |last=Barnes |first=Tom |date=10 December 2017 |title=British-Pakistani researchers say grooming gangs are 84% Asian |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/quilliam-grooming-gangs-report-asian-abuse-rotherham-rochdale-newcastle-a8101941.html |access-date=16 December 2020 |website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> This report was criticised by child sexual exploitation experts Ella Cockbain and Waqas Tufail in a scholarly paper in January 2020.<ref name="CockbainTufail2020">{{cite journal |last1=Cockbain |first1=Ella |last2=Tufail |first2=Waqas |year=2020 |title=Failing victims, fuelling hate: Challenging the harms of the 'Muslim grooming gangs' narrative |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0306396819895727 |journal=Race & Class |volume=61 |issue=3 |pages=3–32 |doi=10.1177/0306396819895727 |s2cid=214197388}}</ref><ref name="Kenan Malik (November 11th, 2018).">Kenan Malik (11 November 2018). ''[https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/11/84-per-cent-of-grooming-gangs-are-asians-we-dont-know-if-that-figure-is-right We're told 84% of grooming gangs are Asian. But where's the evidence?]''. The Guardian. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20201225190032/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/11/84-per-cent-of-grooming-gangs-are-asians-we-dont-know-if-that-figure-is-right Archived Version]''. Retrieved 25 December 2020.</ref> A further investigation was carried out by the British government in December 2020. The [[Home Office]] investigation suggested the majority of child sexual exploitation gangs were, in fact, composed of white men and not British Pakistani men.<ref name="government report2020">{{cite web |date=December 2020 |title=Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation – Characteristics of Offending |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/944206/Group-based_CSE_Paper.pdf |accessdate=20 December 2020 |publisher=Home Office}}</ref><ref name="Grierson">{{cite news |last=Grierson |first=Jamie |date=15 December 2020 |title=Most child sexual abuse gangs made up of white men, Home Office report says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/dec/15/child-sexual-abuse-gangs-white-men-home-office-report |access-date=16 December 2020 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

:"Beyond specific high-profile cases, the academic literature highlights significant limitations to what can be said about links between ethnicity and this form of offending. Research has found that group-based CSE offenders are most commonly White. Some studies suggest an over-representation of Black and Asian offenders relative to the demographics of national populations. However, it is not possible to conclude that this is representative of all group-based CSE offending. This is due to issues such as data quality problems, the way the samples were selected in studies, and the potential for bias and inaccuracies in the way that ethnicity data is collected"; the report also added "Based on the existing evidence, and our understanding of the flaws in the existing data, it seems most likely that the ethnicity of group-based CSE offenders is in line with CSA [child sexual abuse] more generally and with the general population, with the majority of offenders being White".<ref name="government report2020" /><ref name="Grierson" />

Writing in ''[[The Guardian]]'', Cockbain and Tufail wrote of the report that "The two-year study by the Home Office makes very clear that there are no grounds for asserting that Muslim or Pakistani-heritage men are disproportionately engaged in such crimes, and, citing our research, it confirmed the unreliability of the Quilliam claim".<ref name="ecwt">{{cite news |last1=Cockbain |first1=Ella |last2=Tufail |first2=Waqas |date=19 December 2020 |title=A new Home Office report admits grooming gangs are not a 'Muslim problem' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/19/home-office-report-grooming-gangs-not-muslim |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219232051/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/19/home-office-report-grooming-gangs-not-muslim |archive-date=19 December 2020 |access-date=19 December 2020 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> In the foreword to the Report, the Home Secretary [[Priti Patel]] stated that: "Some studies have indicated an over-representation of Asian and Black offenders. However, it is difficult to draw conclusions about the ethnicity of offenders as existing research is limited and data collection is poor. This is disappointing because community and cultural factors are clearly relevant to understanding and tackling offending."<ref name="government report2020" />
A 2020 report by CEOP indicated that in the records of defendants prosecuted for child sexual abuse offences, Asians were actually underrepresented among the child sexual abuse offenders in the country.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 2022 |title=Child sexual abuse in 2020/21: Trends in official data |url=http://www.csacentre.org.uk/documents/child-sexual-abuse-in-2020-21-trends-in-official-data/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020122848/http://www.csacentre.org.uk/documents/child-sexual-abuse-in-2020-21-trends-in-official-data/ |archive-date=20 October 2022 |access-date=1 May 2024}}</ref>

The 2025 Baroness Casey's report noted that the data of the 2020 Home Office report "does not include sufficient ethnicity data to conclude that the majority of offenders are White", which made it "hard to understand how the Home Office reached the conclusion in their paper that the ethnicity of group-based child sexual exploitation offenders is likely to be in line with child sexual abuse more generally and with the general population i.e. "with the majority of offenders being White."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/684ffae201d3b0e7b62da722/National_Audit_on_Group-based_Child_Sexual_Exploitation_and_Abuse.pdf |title=National Audit on Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse |author=Baroness Casey of Blackstock |date=June 2025 |page=79 }}</ref>

==Baroness Casey's National Audit 2025==
{{main|National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse}}
In 2025, [[Louise Casey, Baroness Casey of Blackstock|Baroness Casey]] published findings that despite flaws in data collection, there was enough local data from three police forces – Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire – that showed that disproportionate numbers of Asian men were involved in child sex grooming gangs.<ref name="bbc 16 june 2025"/> On the specific case of Operation Stovewood in Rotherham, the report noted that of the 323 child sex abuse suspects and the 42 individuals convicted, nearly two-thirds were of Pakistani ethnic background.<ref name="casey audit 2025"/>{{rp|85–86}} Nationally, in two-thirds of cases the ethnicity of the perpetrators was not recorded, which made it impossible to draw conclusions at a national level, or to assess the scale of the issue.<ref name="bbc 16 june 2025">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2r2ejlvm1o |title=Key takeaways from grooming gangs report |first=Becky |last=Morton|date=16 June 2025|work=BBC}}</ref><ref name="casey audit 2025">{{cite web |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/684ffae201d3b0e7b62da722/National_Audit_on_Group-based_Child_Sexual_Exploitation_and_Abuse.pdf |title=National Audit on Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse |author=Baroness Casey of Blackstock |date=June 2025}}</ref> The report found "obfuscation" when examining the ethnicity of offenders, and said that the claims that there is overwhelming problem with White perpetrators "can't be proved", and that "flawed data is used repeatedly to dismiss claims about 'Asian grooming gangs' as sensationalised, biased or untrue".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.sky.com/story/flawed-data-used-repeatedly-to-dismiss-claims-about-asian-grooming-gangs-baroness-casey-finds-13384622 |title=Flawed data used repeatedly to dismiss claims about 'Asian grooming gangs', Baroness Casey finds|first=Jason |last=Farrell|date= 16 June 2025 |work=Sky News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/grooming-gangs-report-latest-news-casey-live-thd659lns |title=Grooming gangs report: Baroness Casey says victims want change |first=Peter |last=Chappell|date=17 June 2025 |work=The Times}}</ref><ref name="casey audit 2025"/> The report said that the ethnicity of perpetrators had been "shied away from";<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clynyyqdnrdo |title=Ethnicity of grooming gangs 'shied away from', Casey report says|first=Anna|last= Lamche|work=BBC News|date=16 June 2025}}</ref> and in an interview, she said that information on race and ethnicity had been covered up, and in one case found the word "Pakistani" had been [[Tipp-Ex|tippexed]] out in a children's file in archive.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/louise-casey-grooming-gangs-cooper-b2771307.html |title=Grooming gangs report author says word 'Pakistani' was 'tippexed out' of a child's file|first=Archie|last= Mitchell|date= 17 June 2025 |work=The Independent}}</ref>

Casey called for a national inquiry having previously rejected the idea. She had changed her mind due to the failure of many local councils to set up their own inquiries and the reluctance of some organisations to talk to her own investigators.<ref name="bbc 16 june 2025"/>

==Statutory inquiry (2026)==
{{See also|Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse#Statutory inquiry}}

The Prime Minister, [[Keir Starmer]], announced two days before the [[National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse|Casey audit]] report was published that there would be a full national statutory inquiry into grooming gangs.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7872pngj2qo |title=PM announces national inquiry into grooming gangs |first1=Chris |last1=Mason |first2= Isabella |last2=Allen |work=BBC|date=14 June 2025 }}</ref> Under the [[Inquiries Act 2005]], the minister who sets up an inquiry must appoint a chairman and set terms of reference by an instrument in writing.

On 9 December 2025, Home Secretary [[Shabana Mahmood]] made a statement to Parliament announcing the [[Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs]], its panel with Baroness [[Anne Longfield, Baroness Longfield|Anne Longfield]] as its chair, and draft terms of reference to be confirmed no later than March 2026.<ref>{{cite hansard |title=Grooming Gangs: Independent Inquiry |jurisdiction=Parliament of the United Kingdom |house=House of Commons |date=9 December 2025 |volume=777 |column=179 |speaker=[[Shabana Mahmood]] |position=[[Home Secretary]] |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025-12-09/debates/292F9375-C8B2-4B56-848A-70D76CF4EFBC/details#contribution-92CF3F1C-D422-4766-8950-4F2CF542A947}}</ref>

== Ethnic, religious and cultural factors ==
The [[#Jay inquiry (2014)|Jay Report (2014)]] estimated there were at least 1,400 victims in Rotherham.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=35}}<ref name="halliday 2018" /> While it did not specify the ethnicity of the victims or the perpetrators, it said: "In a large number of the historic cases in particular, most of the victims in the cases we sampled were white British children, and the majority of the perpetrators were from minority ethnic communities." [[Operation Stovewood]] reported that most victims were white girls and about 80% of perpetrators were males of Pakistani heritage.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=35}}<ref name="halliday 2018">{{cite news |last=Halliday |first=Josh |date=20 February 2018 |title=Number of child sexual abuse victims in Rotherham raised to 1,510 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/20/rotherham-sexual-abuse-victims-rises-to-1510-operation-stovewood |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=Guardian}}</ref><ref name="dearden 2024"/> The Jay Report also described other, less investigated cases in which Asian women and girls were the primary victims,<ref>{{harvnb|Jay|2014|p=94|}}</ref> despite the belief that the victims were only white. Social isolation and fear of dishonour prevented Asian victims from coming forward.<ref>{{harvnb|Jay|2014|p=94}}</ref> The report further said that "there is no simple link between race and child sexual exploitation, and across the UK the greatest numbers of perpetrators of CSE are white men".{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=91,94}} The ethnicity of offenders has also increased community tensions and led to far-right marches and violence in the town. An 81-year-old man was murdered by two white men who called him a "groomer" as they attacked him.<ref name="dearden 2024" />

=== Underreporting due to ethnicity, religion or culture ===
According to the Muslim Women's Network UK, Asian victims may be particularly vulnerable to threats of bringing shame and dishonour to their families, and may have believed that reporting the abuse would be an admission they had violated their cultural beliefs.<ref>{{cite web |last=Topping |first=Alexandra |date=10 September 2013 |title=Abuse of Asian girls missed because of focus on white victims, says report |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/sep/10/abuse-asian-girls-missed-white-victims |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Shabnam Mahmood |date=24 November 2014 |title=Yorkshire Muslim girl speaks of grooming ordeal |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-30152240 |access-date=13 February 2018 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Khaleeli |first=Homa |date=3 September 2014 |title=Rotherham: 'It's sad that it's taken something so horrific to give voice to these girls' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/sep/03/rotherham-you-cant-blame-all-of-us |website=The Guardian}}</ref> One of the local Pakistani women's groups had described Pakistani girls being targeted by Pakistani taxi drivers and landlords, but they feared reporting to the police out of concerns for their marriage prospects.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=95}} The report suggested "the under-reporting of exploitation and abuse in minority ethnic communities" should be addressed.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=95}}

In response to claims that social services had failed to act through [[political correctness]], the Jay Report "found no evidence of children's social care staff being influenced by concerns about the ethnic origins of suspected perpetrators when dealing with individual child protection cases, including CSE".{{sfn|Jay|2014|page=91}} In 2021, an investigation by the ''Times'' suggested [[South Yorkshire Police]] was not routinely recording the ethnicity of child sexual abuse suspects. In Rotherham, police omitted suspect ethnicity in 67% of cases. The force said it had increased reporting of ethnicity since 2019.<ref>{{cite news |date=30 December 2021 |title=Rotherham grooming: South Yorkshire Police not recording ethnicity |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-59828338 |access-date=20 April 2023 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

==See also==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom]]
* [[Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse]]
* [[Aylesbury child sex abuse ring]]
* [[Banbury child sex abuse ring]]
* [[Bristol child sex abuse ring]]
* [[Derby child sex abuse ring]]
* [[Halifax child sex abuse ring]]
* [[Huddersfield sex abuse ring]]
* [[Keighley child sex abuse ring]]
* [[Manchester child sex abuse ring]]
* [[Newcastle sex abuse ring]]
* [[North Wales child abuse scandal]]
* [[Oulu child sexual exploitation scandal]]
* [[Oxford child sex abuse ring]]
* [[Peterborough sex abuse case]]
* [[Rochdale child sex abuse ring]]
* [[Telford child sexual exploitation scandal]]
* [[List of sexual abuses perpetrated by groups]]{{div col end}}
{{Portalbar|Yorkshire}}

==Notes==
{{notelist|25em}}

==References==
{{reflist|25em}}

==Works cited==
''The article cites the following books and reports. All other sources are listed in the References section only.''
{{refbegin|25em}}
* {{cite web|first=Iain|last=Boyd|url=https://www.herts.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/100964/msc-dissertation-exam-no-183587.pdf|title=Being Heard: A Thematic Analysis of the Newspaper Media Response to the Jay Report and the Rotherham Child Abuse Scandal|publisher=University of Hertfordshire|date=July 2015|access-date=14 January 2025|archive-date=11 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811182514/https://www.herts.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/100964/msc-dissertation-exam-no-183587.pdf|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite book|first=Pat|last=Cantrill|url=http://www.norfolklscb.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Rotherham-Safeguarding-Children-Board-SCR-Overview-Report.pdf|title=Serious Case Review Overview Report. In respect of: Child S|location=Rotherham|publisher=Rotherham Borough Council|date=April 2011|access-date=5 May 2017|archive-date=11 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811143914/http://www.norfolklscb.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Rotherham-Safeguarding-Children-Board-SCR-Overview-Report.pdf|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite book|author-link=Louise Casey|first=Louise|last=Casey|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/401125/46966_Report_of_Inspection_of_Rotherham_WEB.pdf|title=Report of Inspection of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council|publisher=Department for Communities and Local Government|location=London|date=4 February 2015|isbn=978-1-4741-1507-0}}
* {{cite book|first=John|last=Drew|url=http://www.drewreview.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/SYP030-Final-report.pdf|title=An independent review of South Yorkshire Police's handling of child sexual exploitation 1997–2016|publisher=drewreview.uk|date=23 March 2016}}
* {{cite book|first1=Adele|last1=Gladman|first2=Angie|last2=Heal|title=Child Sexual Exploitation After Rotherham|publisher=Jessica Kingsley Publisher |location=London|date=2017|isbn=978-1-7845-0276-8}}
* {{cite book|first=Angie|last=Heal|url=https://www.lgcplus.com/Journals/2015/05/05/r/b/q/Sexual-Exploitation-Drug-Use-and-Drug-Dealing-the-Current-Situation-in-South-Yorkshire.pdf|title=Sexual Exploitation, Drug Use and Drug Dealing: The Current Situation in South Yorkshire|publisher=Local Government Chronicle|location=London|date=August 2003}}
* {{cite book|first=Angie|last=Heal|url=https://www.lgcplus.com/Journals/2015/05/05/v/c/c/Violence-and-Gun-Crime-Linking-Sexual-Exploitation-Prostitution-and-Drug-Markets-in-South-Yorkshire.pdf|title=A Problem Profile—Violence and Gun Crime: Links with Sexual Exploitation, Prostitution and Drug Markets in South Yorkshire|publisher=Local Government Chronicle|location=London|date=March 2006}}
* {{cite web|last=Heal|first=Angie|url=http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/child-sexual-exploitation-and-the-response-to-localised-grooming-followup/written/12687.pdf|title=Supplementary written evidence submitted by Dr Angie Heal|publisher=House of Commons Home Affairs Committee|location=London|date=9 September 2014}}
* {{cite book|last1=Hester|first1=Marianne|last2=Westmarland|first2=Nicole|title=Tackling Street Prostitution: Towards an holistic approach|year=2004|publisher=Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate|location=London|url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/84894.pdf|isbn=1844733068|access-date=22 April 2017|archive-date=22 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422144102/https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/84894.pdf|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite book|first=Kris|last=Hollington|title=Unthinkable: The Shocking Scandal of the UK Sex Traffickers|publisher=Simon & Schuster|location=London|date=2013|isbn=978-1-47111-455-7}}
* {{cite book|last=Home Affairs Committee (a)|url=https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmhaff/68/68i.pdf|title=Child sexual exploitation and the response to localised grooming. Second Report of Session 2013–14, Vol. 1|publisher=House of Commons, The Stationery Office Limited|location=London|date=10 June 2013}}
* {{cite book|last=Home Affairs Committee (b)|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmhaff/68/68ii.pdf|title=Child sexual exploitation and the response to localised grooming. Second Report of Session 2013–14, Vol. 2|publisher=House of Commons, The Stationery Office Limited|location=London|date=12 June 2013}}
* {{cite book|last=Home Affairs Committee (c)|url=https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmselect/cmhaff/203/203.pdf|title=Child sexual exploitation and the response to localised grooming: follow-up. Sixth Report of Session 2014–15|publisher=House of Commons, The Stationery Office Limited|location=London|date=15 October 2014}}
* {{cite book|author-link=Alexis Jay|first=Alexis|last=Jay|url=https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/downloads/file/279/independent-inquiry-into-child-sexual-exploitation-in-rotherham|title=Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham (1997–2013)|publisher=Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council|location=Rotherham|date=21 August 2014}}
* {{cite book|last=Senior|first=Jayne|author-link=Jayne Senior|title=Broken and Betrayed: The true story of the Rotherham abuse scandal by the woman who fought to expose it|year=2016|publisher=Pan Macmillan|location=London|isbn=9781509801619}}
* {{cite web|last=Weir|first=Adele|url=https://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/home-affairs/Letter%20to%20Police%2023%20October%202001.pdf|title=Letter|publisher=House of Commons, The Stationery Office Ltd|location=London|date=23 October 2001}}
* {{cite web|last=Weir|first=Adele|title=Chapter Four: Key Achievements of the Home Office Pilot|publisher=Home Affairs Committee|date=2002|url=https://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/home-affairs/Chapter%20Four%20of%20final%20report%20Key%20Achievements%20of%20the%20Home%20Office%20Pilot%20(4).pdf|postscript=none|at=(This draft document shows the anonymised evaluation results of Adele Weir's 2000–2002 Home Office pilot study in Rotherham. Risky Business is referred to as the "Project". The reports about other towns in the pilot study were published, but the Rotherham chapter was not. It was first published in 2014 as part of the Jay report and again by the Home Affairs Committee.)}}
* {{cite web|last=Weir|first=Adele|url=http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/child-sexual-exploitation-and-the-response-to-localised-grooming-followup/written/12361.html|title=Summary of evidence to Home Affairs Committee|publisher=House of Commons, The Stationery Office Ltd|location=London|date=15 October 2014}}
* {{cite book|last1=Wilson|first1=Sarah|last2=McKelvie|first2=Geraldine|title=Violated: A Shocking and Harrowing Survival Story from the Notorious Rotherham Abuse Scandal|year=2015|publisher=Harper Element|location=London|isbn=978-00081-4126-4}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
===Home Affairs Committee===
* [https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmhaff/68/68i.pdf ''Child sexual exploitation and the response to localised grooming. Second Report of Session 2013–14, Vol. 1''], House of Commons Home Affairs Committee. London: The Stationery Office Limited, 10 June 2013.
* [https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmhaff/68/68ii.pdf ''Child sexual exploitation and the response to localised grooming. Second Report of Session 2013–14, Vol. 2''], House of Commons Home Affairs Committee. London: The Stationery Office Limited, 12 June 2013.
* [https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmselect/cmhaff/203/203.pdf ''Child sexual exploitation and the response to localised grooming: follow-up. Sixth Report of Session 2014–15''], House of Commons Home Affairs Committee. London: The Stationery Office Limited, 15 October 2014.

===Miscellaneous===
* [https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/revealed-conspiracy-of-silence-on-uk-sex-gangs-gpg5vqsqz9h "Revealed: conspiracy of silence on UK sex gangs"], ''The Times'' (editorial), 5 January 2011.
* {{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-28934963|title=Rotherham child abuse scandal: The background to the report|work=BBC News|date=26 August 2014}}
* {{cite web|last1=Ahmed|first1=Samira|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/aug/27/race-rotherham-abuse-scandal-pakistani-community|title=We shouldn't turn a blind eye to race over the Rotherham abuse scandal |date=27 August 2014|work=The Guardian}}
* Phillip, Abby (27 August 2014). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/world/wp/2014/08/27/report-reveals-the-horrors-of-1400-sexually-abused-children-in-a-british-town-and-the-system-that-failed-them/ "Report reveals the horrors of 1,400 sexually abused children in a new). [http://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/old-contempt-rotherham "An Old Contempt in Rotherham"], ''The New Yorker''.
* Flanagin, Jake (4 September 2014). [https://op-talk.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/09/04/how-rotherham-happened/ "How Rotherham Happened"], ''The New York Times''.
* [[Ross Douthat|Douthat, Ross]] (6 September 2014). [https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/07/opinion/sunday/ross-douthat-rape-and-rotherham.html "Rape and Rotherham"], ''The New York Times''.
* [https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/too-many-in-rotherham-turned-a-blind-eye-to-child-abuse/2014/09/15/5ef76b4a-3489-11e4-9e92-0899b306bbea_story.html "Too many in Rotherham turned a blind eye to child abuse"], ''The Washington Post'' (editorial board), 15 September 2014.
* {{cite web|last1=Coker|first1=Margaret|last2=Flynn|first2=Alexis|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/one-womans-crusade-for-u-k-towns-young-rape-victims-1432324162|title=One Woman's Crusade for U.K. Town's Young Rape Victims|date=22 May 2015|work=The Wall Street Journal}}
* Wilson, Sarah, with Geraldine McKelvie (2015). ''Violated: A Shocking and Harrowing Survival Story from the Notorious Rotherham Abuse Scandal''. London: Harper Element. {{ISBN|978-00081-4126-4}}
* "[https://nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/news/op-stovewood-victims-get-justice-after-another-six-men-guilty-of-sexually-abusing-young-girls-in-rotherham Op Stovewood: Victims get justice after another six men guilty of sexually abusing young girls in Rotherham] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828190119/https://nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/news/op-stovewood-victims-get-justice-after-another-six-men-guilty-of-sexually-abusing-young-girls-in-rotherham |date=28 August 2019 }}" (28 August 2019), [[National Crime Agency]]

{{Child sexual abuse in the UK|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:2000s in South Yorkshire]]
[[Category:2014 in England]]
[[Category:2014 scandals]]
[[Category:Child sexual abuse in England]]
[[Category:Crime in South Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Labour Party (UK) scandals]]
[[Category:History of South Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Pakistani-British gangs]]
[[Category:Police misconduct in England]]
[[Category:Politics of Rotherham]]
[[Category:Gang rape in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Race relations in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Rape in England]]
[[Category:Rape in Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Scandals in England]]
[[Category:Child sex rings in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Child sexual abuse cover-ups]]
[[Category:Torture in England]]
[[Category:Violence against women in England]]
[[Category:Child prostitution in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Incidents of violence against girls]]

Draft:Investigations into the Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal

2026-07-09T07:49:54Z

WikiDwarf: WikiDwarf moved page Draft:Investigations into the Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal to Investigations into the Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal: Publishing accepted Articles for creation submission

#REDIRECT [[Investigations into the Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal]]

Investigations into the Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal

2026-07-09T07:49:53Z

{{AfC submission|||ts=20260709073724|u=|ns=118}} 
{{Short description|Investigations into sexual exploitation scandal in England}}
{{Broader|Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal}}

{{use British English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox event
| name = 
| image = File:Rotherham town centre, May 2010.jpg
| image_size =
| image_upright = 1.35
| image_caption = Rotherham town centre, March 2010
| date = 1970s–present
| location = [[Rotherham]], South Yorkshire, England
| coordinates = {{coord|53.430|-1.357|scale:50000|display=inline,title}}
| custom_label = Events
| custom_data = [[Child sexual abuse]] of an estimated 1,400 (1970s–2013, according various reports including Jayne Senior) majority aged approximately 11–16.<ref name="The Star">{{cite news |date=29 March 2023 |title=Rotherham abuse scandal whistleblower: True number of victims likely to be 2,000 |work=The Star |url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/rotherham-abuse-scandal-whistleblower-true-number-of-victims-likely-to-be-2000-65424 |access-date=20 April 2023}}</ref>
| reporter = [[Andrew Norfolk]] of ''[[The Times]]'', with information from [[Jayne Senior]], youth worker<ref name=Turner19March2016>Janice Turner (19 March 2016). "The Rotherham Whistleblower", ''The Times'' magazine.</ref>
| inquiries = [[#Home|Home Affairs Committee]] (2013–2014){{sfn|Home Affairs Committee (c)|2014}}<br />[[#Jay|Jay inquiry]] (2014){{sfn|Jay|2014}}<br /> [[#Casey|Casey inquiry]] (2015){{sfn|Casey|2015}}
| custom_label1 = Trials
| custom_data1 = Sheffield Crown Court, [[#2010 convictions|2010]], [[#Convictions|2016–2017]], convictions for [[rape]], [[Conspiracy (criminal)|conspiracy]] to rape, [[aiding and abetting]] rape, sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, [[indecent assault]], [[false imprisonment]], [[Procuring (prostitution)|procurement]]. Numerous individual prosecutions regarding child sexual exploitation over the years, including 8 in 2012, 9 in 2013, and 1 in the first quarter of 2014{{sfn|Jay|2014|p=31}}
| convictions = {{circa|60}} (rising) Operation Central: 5 men <br /> Operation Clover: 18 men & 2 women <br /> Operation Stovewood: 39 men ''(trials ongoing {{as of|2025|February|lc=y}})''{{efn|Operation Stovewood says 39.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Operation Stovewood – the NCA's investigation into child sexual abuse in Rotherham |url=https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/what-we-do/crime-threats/operation-stovewood-rotherham-child-sexual-abuse-investigation |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk |date=4 December 2024 |language=en-GB}}</ref> ''The Star'' says 40.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marshall |first=Sarah |date=2024-12-29 |title=Number of arrests, convictions and victims in huge child abuse probe so far |url=https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/crime/number-of-arrests-convictions-and-victims-identified-in-huge-rotherham-child-abuse-probe-4914830 |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=The Star |language=en}}</ref>}}
| sentence =
| awards = Andrew Norfolk: [[Orwell Prize]] (2013), [[British Press Awards|Journalist of the Year]] (2014)<ref>[http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/andrew-norfolk-named-journalist-year-times-and-sunday-times-claim-seven-british-journalism-awards/ "Andrew Norfolk named journalist of the year as Times and Sunday Times claim seven British Journalism Awards"], ''Press Gazette'', 2 December 2014.{{pb}}
Martinson, Jane (28 September 2014). [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/sep/28/rotherham-child-sex-scandal-andrew-norfolk "Rotherham child sex scandal: Andrew Norfolk on how he broke the story"], ''The Guardian''.</ref><br />
Jayne Senior: [[Order of the British Empire|MBE]] ([[2016 Birthday Honours]])<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-36498226 "Rotherham whistleblower Jayne Senior appointed MBE"], ''BBC News'', 10 June 2016.</ref>
}}
'''Investigations into the Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal''' included local, national and media reviews, inquiries and investigations into the organised [[child sexual abuse]] of girls that occurred in the town of [[Rotherham]], South Yorkshire, Northern England, from the late 1980s until 2013,<ref name="BBC-How-2022"/> and particularly the failures of local authorities to act on reports of the abuse throughout most of that period.<ref name="Pidd13July2015">Helen Pidd (13 July 2015). [https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/13/alexis-jay-politicians-rotherham-report-child-sex-abuse-social-worker-claims-westminster-bbc-nhs "Alexis Jay on child sex abuse: 'Politicians wanted to keep a lid on it'"], ''The Guardian''.</ref>

Evidence of the abuse was first noted in the early 1990s,{{sfn|Senior|2016|loc=56}} with reports made to the police and [[Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council|Rotherham Council]] from at least 2001. The first group conviction took place in 2010.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=23}} Subsequently, [[Andrew Norfolk]] of ''[[The Times]]'' reported that the abuse in the town was widespread and that the police and council had known about it for over ten years.{{efn|Andrew Norfolk began investigating in 2010. The first of his articles appeared over four pages in ''The Times'' in January 2011, accompanied by an editorial.<ref name=NorfolkJan2011/>{{pb}}Andrew Norfolk (''The Times'', 24 September 2012): "Confidential police reports and intelligence files ... show that for more than a decade organised groups of men were able to groom, pimp and traffic girls across the country with virtual impunity. Offenders were identified to police but not prosecuted."<ref name=Norfolk24Sept2012/>}} The ''Times'' articles, along with the 2012 trial of the [[Rochdale child sex abuse ring]], prompted the House of Commons [[Home Affairs Select Committee|Home Affairs Committee]] to conduct hearings.{{sfn|Home Affairs Committee (a)|2013|loc=3–4}}

In 2013, Rotherham Council commissioned an independent inquiry led by Professor [[Alexis Jay]], former chief social work adviser to the [[Scottish Government]]. In August 2014, the Jay Report published its recommendations and concluded that an estimated 1,400 children had been sexually abused in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013. The perpetrators were predominantly British-Pakistani men.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/downloads/file/279/independent-inquiry-into-child-sexual-exploitation-in-rotherham|title=Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham (1997–2013)|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref><ref name="Norfolk24Sept2012" /> The majority of victims were [[White British]] girls, but [[British Asians|British Asian]] girls in Rotherham were also targeted and received less support or public attention.<ref>{{harvnb|Jay|2014|p=94|ps=: "The UK Muslim Women's Network produced a report on CSE in September 2013 which drew on 35 case studies of women from across the UK who were victims, the majority of whom were Muslim. It highlighted that Asian girls were being sexually exploited where authorities were failing to identify or support them."}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Jay|2014|p=94|ps=: "The Deputy Children's Commissioner's report reached a similar conclusion to the Muslim Women's Network research, stating 'one of these myths was that only white girls are victims of sexual exploitation by Asian or Muslim males, as if these men only abuse outside of their own community, driven by hatred and contempt for white females. This belief flies in the face of evidence that shows that those who violate children are most likely to target those who are closest to them and most easily accessible.' The Home Affairs Select Committee quoted witnesses saying that cases of Asian men grooming Asian girls did not come to light because victims 'are often alienated and ostracised by their own families and by the whole community, if they go public with allegations of abuse.'}}</ref> The failure to address the abuse was attributed to a combination of factors, including fear that the perpetrators' [[ethnicity]] would trigger allegations of [[racism]]; [[Sexism|sexist]] and [[Classism|classist]] attitudes toward the mostly [[Working class|working-class]] victims; lack of a child-centred focus; a desire to protect the town's reputation; and lack of training and resources.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=69, 101}}{{sfn|Casey|2015|loc=9, 32–36}}<ref name="Pidd13July2015" /> Several local authority and police staff members resigned after the report was published.<ref name="Wrightresigns">{{cite news | work=BBC News | title =PCC Shaun Wright resigns over Rotherham child abuse scandal| date =16 September 2014 | url =https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29220535}}</ref> The [[Independent Police Complaints Commission]] and the [[National Crime Agency]] also opened inquiries in response to the report, with the latter expected to last eight years.<ref name="NCA18Dec2014">[http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/news/517-nca-begins-two-stage-investigation-into-child-sexual-exploitation-in-rotherham "NCA begins two-stage investigation into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309045058/http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/news/517-nca-begins-two-stage-investigation-into-child-sexual-exploitation-in-rotherham|date=9 March 2017}}, National Crime Agency, 18 December 2014.{{pb}}
[http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/publications/483-operation-stovewood-summary-of-terms-of-reference-1/file "Operation Stovewood—Summary of Terms of Reference"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131083705/http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/publications/483-operation-stovewood-summary-of-terms-of-reference-1/file|date=31 January 2017}}, National Crime Agency.</ref><ref name="Norfolk7June2016">Andrew Norfolk (7 June 2016). [https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/rotherham-abuse-inquiry-will-run-for-eight-years-xbmrpmcp9 "Rotherham abuse inquiry will run for eight years"], ''The Times''.</ref>

In 2014, the government appointed [[Louise Casey]] to conduct an inspection of Rotherham Council, published in January 2015. The Casey report concluded that the council was "not fit for purpose" and had a culture of bullying, sexism, covering up information and silencing [[whistleblower]]s.{{sfn|Casey|2015|loc=6}}{{sfn|Casey|2015|loc=9, 11, 30}} In February 2015 the government replaced the council's elected officers with a team of five commissioners.<ref name="bbc31130750">{{cite web |date=4 February 2015 |title=Government in Rotherham Council takeover after abuse inquiry |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-31130750 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

==Background==
[[File:Rotherham UK locator map.svg|thumb|[[Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham]] within [[South Yorkshire]] and England]]
The '''Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal''' refers to the organised [[child sexual abuse]] that occurred in the town of [[Rotherham]], South Yorkshire, Northern England, from the late 1980s until 2013. An estimated 1,400 girls, commonly from care home backgrounds, were abused by [[Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom#Group-based child sexual exploitation|"grooming gangs"]] of predominantly [[British-Pakistani]] men between 1997 and 2013.<ref name="BBC-How-2022">{{cite news |title=Rotherham abuse scandal: How we got here |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-61868863 |access-date=26 January 2024 |agency=BBC News |date=22 June 2022}}</ref><ref name="Pidd13July2015"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/downloads/file/279/independent-inquiry-into-child-sexual-exploitation-in-rotherham|title=Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham (1997–2013)|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref> Researcher Angie Heal, who was hired by local officials and warned them about child exploitation occurring between 2002 and 2007, has since described it as the "biggest [[Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom|child protection scandal in UK history]]".{{sfn|Gladman|Heal|2017|loc=28}}

Rotherham has traditionally been a Labour stronghold, and until [[Sarah Champion]] was elected in 2012 it had never had a female MP.<ref>Helen Pidd (9 February 2015). [https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/feb/09/sarah-champion-mp-rotherham-job-living-hell "Sarah Champion MP: 'The job is fabulous. The lifestyle is living hell'"], ''The Guardian''.</ref> The council was similarly male-dominated; one Labour insider told ''The Guardian'' in 2012: "The Rotherham political class is male, male, male."<ref>Helen Pidd (13 November 2012). [https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/nov/13/labour-party-members-protest-rotherham "Labour party members protest against 'outside' candidate in Rotherham"], ''The Guardian''.</ref> In May 2014 there were 63 elected members on [[Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council]]: 57 [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]], four [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservatives]], one [[UK Independence Party|UKIP]] and one [[Independent politician#United Kingdom|Independent]]. The elections in August that year saw a swing to UKIP: 49 Labour, 10 UKIP, 2 Conservatives and 2 Independents.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=¶ 3}} The government disbanded the council in 2015, after the [[#Casey|Casey report]], and replaced it with a team of five commissioners.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-31130750 "Government in Rotherham Council takeover after abuse inquiry"], ''BBC News'', 4 February 2015.</ref>

===Terminology===
{{Main|Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom#Group-based child sexual exploitation}}
The term ''child sexual exploitation'' (CSE) was first used in 2009 to replace the term ''child prostitution'', which implied a level of consent.<ref>[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130401151715/http://www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/Safeguarding_CPY_from_sexual_exploitation.pdf ''Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation: Supplementary Guidance''], Department for Education, 2009.</ref>{{sfn|Gladman|Heal|2017|loc=65–66}} CSE is a form of [[child sexual abuse]] in which children are offered something—money, drugs, alcohol, food, shelter, or affection—in exchange for sexual activity. Violence and intimidation are common.{{sfn|Gladman|Heal|2017|loc=65–66}} CSE includes [[Child grooming|online grooming]] and [[Child grooming|localised grooming]], formerly known as on-street grooming.{{sfn|Gladman|Heal|2017|loc=65–66}}{{sfn|Home Affairs Committee (a)|2013|loc=4–5}} Localised grooming involves a group of abusers targeting vulnerable children in a public place, offering them sweets, alcohol, drugs and takeaway food in exchange for sex.{{sfn|Home Affairs Committee (a)|2013|loc=5}} The targets can include children in the care of the local authority; in Rotherham, one third of the targeted children were previously known to social services.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=1}} Perpetrators of group-based CSE are often informally known as "grooming gangs" (a term which has been described by academics and child protection professionals as racially charged).<ref name="CockbainTufail20202">{{Cite journal |last1=Cockbain |first1=Ella |last2=Tufail |first2=Waqas |year=2020 |title=Failing victims, fuelling hate: Challenging the harms of the 'Muslim grooming gangs' narrative |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0306396819895727 |url-status=live |journal=Race & Class |volume=61 |issue=3 |pages=3–32 |doi=10.1177/0306396819895727 |s2cid=214197388 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308203535/https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0306396819895727 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |access-date=25 July 2023}}</ref><ref name="Guardian2023">{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Peter |date=25 May 2023 |title='Inaccurate' grooming gang claims putting children at risk, Sunak and Braverman told |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/may/25/inaccurate-grooming-gang-claims-putting-children-at-risk-sunak-and-braverman-told |access-date=31 August 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

==''The Times'' investigation==
===Background===
Andrew Norfolk of ''[[The Times]]'' first wrote about localised grooming in 2003, after moving from London to Leeds, when he wrote a brief story about the [[Keighley child sex abuse ring]]. [[Ann Cryer]], MP for [[Keighley (UK Parliament constituency)|Keighley]], had complained that "Asian men" were targeting teenage girls outside schools, while parents alleged that police and social services were declining to act. From then until 2010, Norfolk heard of court cases in northern England and the Midlands reporting a similar pattern.<ref name="Norfolk28Aug2014" /> Court records showed 17 cases of localised grooming in 13 northern towns since 1997—14 since 2008—in which 56 men were convicted of sexual offences against girls aged 11–16.<ref>[https://www.thetimes.com/article/the-17-cases-identified-by-the-times-which-showed-a-pattern-of-exploitation-rjqz6dbqhsg "The 17 cases identified by The Times which showed a pattern of exploitation"], ''The Times'', 5 January 2011.</ref><ref>[https://www.thetimes.com/best-law-firms/profile-legal/article/child-protection-squad-will-investigate-patterns-of-sex-abuse-tt3r3x3vmw6 "Child protection squad will investigate patterns of sex abuse"], ''The Times'', 31 January 2011.</ref> Norfolk interviewed two of the affected families, and in January 2011 the first of a series of stories appeared over four pages in ''The Times'', accompanied by an editorial, "Revealed: conspiracy of silence on UK sex gangs".<ref name="NorfolkJan2011">[https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/revealed-conspiracy-of-silence-on-uk-sex-gangs-gpg5vqsqz9h "Revealed: conspiracy of silence on UK sex gangs"], ''The Times'' (editorial), 5 January 2011.{{pb}}
Andrew Norfolk (5 January 2011). [https://www.thetimes.com/best-law-firms/profile-legal/article/some-of-these-men-have-children-the-same-age-they-are-bad-apples-cbhpsj7x5wt "'Some of these men have children the same age; they are bad apples'"], ''The Times''.{{pb}}
Andrew Norfolk (5 January 2011). [https://www.thetimes.com/article/barnardos-demands-inquiry-into-sex-exploitation-of-british-girls-l0k8q33dsrf "Barnardo's demands inquiry into sex exploitation of British girls"], ''The Times''.{{pb}}
[https://www.thetimes.com/article/the-17-cases-identified-by-the-times-which-showed-a-pattern-of-exploitation-rjqz6dbqhsg "The 17 cases identified by The Times which showed a pattern of exploitation"], ''The Times'', 5 January 2011.{{pb}}
Andrew Norfolk, Richard Ford, Greg Hurst (6 January 2011). [https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/calls-for-major-police-inquiry-on-grotesque-sex-gangs-mwscj8gskr9 "Calls for major police inquiry on 'grotesque' sex gangs"], ''The Times''.</ref> Norfolk told the Home Affairs Committee in 2013 that council staff and senior police officers called him to thank him; one director of children's services told him: "My staff are jumping for joy in the office today because finally somebody has said what we have not felt able to say."{{sfn|Home Affairs Committee (b)|2013|loc=80–81}}

===Murder of Laura Wilson===
In 2012, Rotherham Council applied to the [[High Court of Justice|High Court]] for an [[Injunctions in English law|injunction]] to stop Norfolk publishing an unredacted version of a [[serious case review]] written after the murder of a local girl, Laura Wilson.<ref name="Norfolk7June2012" /> Known in the review as "Child S", Wilson was 17 in October 2010 when she was stabbed 40 times and thrown in the canal by her 17-year-old ex-boyfriend, Ashtiaq Asghar, an act the police called an "[[honour killing]]".{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=102}}<ref name="Telegraph17March2012" />{{efn|[[Jayne Senior]] (2016) wrote that one police officer told her: "We've been told we have to take this down the honour-killing route. We can't mention anything to do with CSE [child sexual exploitation] in this investigation."{{sfn|Senior|2016|loc=221}}}} She had had a baby four months earlier by a 21-year-old married man. The families of the men, both Pakistani heritage, had apparently been unaware of the relationships and the existence of the child. Tired of being a secret, Wilson decided to tell them. Days later, the ex-boyfriend murdered her. Both men stood trial; the older man was acquitted, and Asghar was jailed for 17 years and six months.<ref name="Telegraph17March2012">[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/9149929/Teenager-is-first-white-victim-of-honour-killing.html "Teenager is 'first' white victim of honour killing "], ''The Daily Telegraph'', 17 March 2012.</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-18244660 "Laura Wilson murder: Rotherham children's board reports"], ''BBC News'', 29 May 2012.{{pb}}
For length of sentence: Lizze Dearden (30 August 2014). [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/rotherham-abuse-scandal-authorities-decisions-to-take-away-babies-born-to-abused-girls-caused-yet-9701419.html "Rotherham abuse scandal: Authorities' decisions to take away babies born to abused girls caused yet more suffering"], ''The Independent''.</ref>

Assessed as having an [[IQ classification|IQ of 56]] and a reading and spelling age of 6,{{sfn|Cantrill|2011|loc=54}} Wilson had been the target of localised grooming from at least age 11. The council had referred her to Risky Business three months after her 11th birthday,<ref name="Norfolk7June2012" /><ref name="Norfolk2Dec2011">Andrew Norfolk (2 December 2011). [https://www.thetimes.com/best-law-firms/profile-legal/article/murdered-girl-was-victim-of-pakistani-sex-grooming-gang-ld0fhrfsvnz "Murdered girl was victim of Pakistani sex grooming gang"], ''The Times''.</ref>{{sfn|Wilson|McKelvie|2015}} and when she was 13, Wilson and her family had appeared on ''[[The Jeremy Kyle Show]]'' to discuss children who were out of control.{{sfn|Hollington|2013|loc=227}} She had also been mentioned in the 2009 criminal inquiry that led to the [[#2010 trial|first five convictions]] arising out of localised grooming in Rotherham.<ref name="YorkshirePost8June2012" />

The government ordered that the council publish its serious case review. It was published with passages blacked out on 61 of its 144 pages. Norfolk obtained an unredacted version, and found that the council had hidden the men's ethnicity, as well as Wilson's mention during the 2009 criminal inquiry, and the extent of the council's involvement in her care. [[Michael Gove]], then education secretary, accused the council in June 2012 of withholding "relevant and important material".<ref name="YorkshirePost8June2012">[http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/secrecy-bid-over-case-review-of-murdered-mother-17-scrapped-1-4624324 "Secrecy bid over case review of murdered mother, 17, scrapped"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803213840/http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/secrecy-bid-over-case-review-of-murdered-mother-17-scrapped-1-4624324 |date=3 August 2017 }}, ''The Yorkshire Post'', 8 June 2012.</ref> After Gove's intervention, the council withdrew its legal action, and Norfolk published the story under the headline "Officials hid vital facts about men suspected of grooming girl for sex".<ref name="Norfolk7June2012">Andrew Norfolk (7 June 2012). [https://www.thetimes.com/best-law-firms/profile-legal/article/officials-hid-vital-facts-about-men-suspected-of-grooming-girl-for-sex-28ddhlb2jhw "Officials hid vital facts about men suspected of grooming girl for sex"], ''The Times''.{{pb}}
Andres Norfolk (7 June 2012). [https://www.thetimes.com/best-law-firms/profile-legal/article/a-case-of-moral-cowardice-80zcmjp5v9q "A case of moral cowardice"], ''The Times''.</ref><ref name="Norfolk28Aug2014">Andrew Norfolk (28 August 2014). [https://www.thetimes.com/best-law-firms/profile-legal/article/rotherham-child-sex-abuse-how-the-truth-finally-came-out-c2d9wgmwtd6 "Rotherham child sex abuse: How the truth finally came out"], ''The Times''.{{pb}}
Dominic Ponsford (27 August 2014). [http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/girls-suffered-council-obfuscated-says-andrew-norfolk-reported-prompted-times-reveals-least-1400/ "'Girls suffered as council obfuscated' says Times journalist as Jay report reveals 1,400 Rotherham sex gang victims"], ''PressGazette''.</ref>

===September 2012===

On 24 September 2012, Norfolk wrote that the abuse in Rotherham was much more widespread than acknowledged, and that the police had been aware of it for over a decade. His story, "Police files reveal vast child protection scandal", was based on 200 leaked documents, some from [[Jayne Senior]], such as case files and letters from police and social services. The documents included [[#Weir_report_(2001)|Adele Weir]]'s 2001 report for the Home Office, which linked 54 abused children to the Hussain family; 18 of the children had called [[#Arshid Hussain|Arshid Hussain]] their "boyfriend".<ref name="Norfolk24Sept2012" />

Cases highlighted by Norfolk included that of a 15-year-old having a broken bottle inserted into her; a 14-year-old being held in a flat and forced to have sex with five men; and a 13-year-old girl, "with disrupted clothing", found by police in a house at 3 am with a group of men who had given her vodka. A neighbour had called the police after hearing the girl scream. The girl was arrested for being drunk and disorderly, but the men were not questioned.<ref name="Norfolk24Sept2012">{{cite news | first=Andrew |last=Norfolk | url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/police-files-reveal-vast-child-protection-scandal-ffrpdr09vrv | title=Police files reveal vast child protection scandal | work=The Times | date=24 September 2012}}</ref><ref name="BBCTimes">{{cite news|title=South Yorkshire Police deny hiding girls' sex abuse|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-19701760|work=BBC News| date=24 September 2012}}</ref>

The newspaper cited a 2010 report by the police intelligence bureau that said, locally and nationally, and particularly in Sheffield and Rotherham, "there appears to be a significant problem with networks of Asian males exploiting young white females". South Yorkshire children were being trafficked to Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Dover, Manchester, and elsewhere, according to the police report.<ref name="Norfolk24Sept2012" /><ref name="BBCpolice">{{cite news|title=South Yorkshire Police 'must get a grip' on child abuse|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-19966721|work=BBC News| date=16 October 2012}}</ref> A document from Rotherham's Safeguarding Children Board reporting that the "crimes had 'cultural characteristics ... which are locally sensitive in terms of diversity'":

{{blockquote|There are sensitivities of ethnicity with potential to endanger the harmony of community relationships. Great care will be taken in drafting ...this report to ensure that its findings embrace Rotherham's qualities of diversity. It is imperative that suggestions of a wider cultural phenomenon are avoided."<ref name=Norfolk24Sept2012/>}}

In August 2013 Norfolk published the story of a 15-year-old Rotherham girl, later revealed to be [[Sammy Woodhouse]],<ref name="timesNew2018">{{cite news |last1=Norfolk |first1=Andrew |author-link1=Andrew Norfolk |title=Rotherham rape victim reveals new care scandal |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/rotherham-council-invited-paedophile-to-see-his-victim-s-child-jntcgdv3t |newspaper=The Times |access-date=29 November 2018 |date=28 November 2018}}</ref> who had been described in [[#Weir_report_(2001)|Adele Weir's report in 2001]], and who was allowed by social services to maintain contact with [[#Arshid Hussain|Arshid Hussain]], despite having been placed in care by her parents to protect her from him. (Hussain was jailed in 2016 for 35 years.) The girl had been made pregnant twice.{{sfn|Weir|2002|loc=6}} One of those "aware of the relationship", according to the ''Times'', was Jahangir Akhtar, then Rotherham Council's deputy leader, reportedly a relative of Hussain's.<ref name="Norfolk23Aug2013" /> He resigned but denied the claims.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-23820054 "Rotherham councillor Jahangir Akhtar steps down over claims"], ''BBC News'', 13 August 2013.</ref> Akhtar was one of the officials later described in the [[#Casey|Casey report]] as wielding considerable influence on the council and reportedly known for shutting down discussion about the sexual abuse.{{sfn|Casey|2015|loc=29, 36}} Shortly after publication of the ''Times'' story, Rotherham Council commissioned the [[#Jay|Jay inquiry]].<ref name="Norfolk23Aug2013">Andrew Norfolk (23 August 2013). [https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/grooming-scandal-of-child-sex-town-85zd6gsqtg3 "Grooming scandal of child sex town"], ''The Times''.</ref>

== Weir report (2001) ==
=== Home Office pilot study ===
In 2000, solicitor Adele Weir (later Gladman) was hired by Rotherham Council as a research and development officer on a [[Home Office]] Crime Reduction Programme pilot study, "Tackling Prostitution: What Works".{{sfn|Hester|Westmarland|2004}}{{sfn|Weir|2014|loc=¶ 2}}{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=83–84}} A section of the study was devoted to "young people and prostitution", and would cover Bristol, Sheffield and Rotherham. Weir was employed to write the report on Rotherham.{{sfn|Hester|Westmarland|2004|loc=4}} Researchers at the [[University of Bedfordshire]], including the social scientist Margaret Melrose, were involved as Home Office evaluators.{{sfn|Hester|Westmarland|2004|loc=3}} Weir's line manager was the manager of Risky Business, and she was placed in the Risky Business offices in Rotherham's International Centre, where she worked with [[Jayne Senior]].{{sfn|Home Affairs Committee (c)|2014|loc=5}}{{sfn|Senior|2016|loc=96}}{{sfn|Weir|2014|loc=¶ 2}} According to Weir, she encountered "poor professional practice from an early stage" from the council and police; child protection issues were, in her view, "disregarded, dismissed or minimized".{{sfn|Weir|2014|loc=¶ 5}}{{sfn|Home Affairs Committee (c)|2014|loc=5}}

==== Mapping exercise ====
In response to a complaint from police that evidence of child abuse in Rotherham was anecdotal, Weir compiled a 10-page mapping exercise in 2001, showing what appeared to be a local abuse network. In evidence to the Home Affairs Committee in 2014, she said she had found "a small number of suspected abusers who were well known to all significant services in Rotherham."{{sfn|Weir|2014|loc=¶ 4}}{{sfn|Senior|2016|loc=97–98}} Using material obtained by Risky Business, and from health services, social services, police records, a homelessness project, and substance-misuse services, Weir's report included names of suspects, car registration numbers, links to local businesses and people outside the area, and the relationships between the suspects and the girls. The suspects included members of the Hussain family, who were jailed in 2016.{{sfn|Weir|2014|loc=¶ 6}}{{sfn|Senior|2016|loc=98–99}} Weir estimated at that point that there were 270 victims.<ref name="BBC1Sept2014" />

=== Home Office report ===
Weir's report for the Home Office evaluators linked 54 abused children to the Hussain family, as of October 2001. Eighteen children had named one of those men, [[#Arshid Hussain|Arshid Hussain]], then around 25, as their "boyfriend", and several had become pregnant.{{sfn|Weir|2002|loc=6}}<ref name="Bell24Feb2016">Bethan Bell, [https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-35595008 "Rotherham abuse: Hussain brothers 'were infamous'"], ''BBC News'', 24 February 2016.</ref> One girl got pregnant twice when she was 14. She said social workers had expressed concern for the baby but not for her; she said that they maintained her relationship with him was consensual.<ref>"The Rotherham Grooming Scandal", ''Panorama'', BBC, 1 September 2014, 00:06:27.</ref> In February 2016, Arshid Hussain was convicted of multiple rapes and jailed for 35 years.<ref name="BBC26Feb2016">[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-35670538 "Hussain brothers jailed in Rotherham abuse case"], ''BBC News'', 26 February 2016.</ref> The Weir report said that members of the family were "alleged to be responsible for much of the violent crime and drug dealing in the town". They used untraceable mobile phones, had access to expensive cars, were linked to a taxi firm, and may have been involved in [[Bed and breakfast|bed-and-breakfast]] hotels that were used by social services for emergency accommodation. Several girls sent to those hotels had been offered money, as soon as they arrived, if they would have sex with several men. Other girls were targeted at train and bus stations.{{sfn|Weir|2002}}

Weir handed her report to [[South Yorkshire Police]], but was told it was "unhelpful".{{sfn|Senior|2016|loc=102}} According to the Jay Report, one incident was, for Weir, the "final straw". A victim decided to file a complaint with the police. The perpetrators had smashed her parents' windows and broken her brothers' legs to stop her from reporting the rapes. Weir took her to the police station, but the victim received a text from the perpetrator to say he had her 11-year-old sister with him, and it was "your choice". This led the victim to believe someone had told the perpetrator she was at the police station, and she decided not to proceed with the complaint.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=85}} Following this, with the consent of her manager, Weir wrote in October 2001 to Mike Hedges, the Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police, and to Christine Burbeary, the District Commander.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=86}}{{sfn|Senior|2016|loc=102}} The letter said:

{{blockquote|I have been visiting agencies, encouraging them to relay information to the police. Their responses have been identical—they have ceased passing on information as they perceive this to be a waste of time. Parents also have ceased to make missing person reports, a precursor to any child abduction investigation, as the police response is often so inappropriate. ... Children are being left at risk and their abusers unapprehended.{{sfn|Weir|2001}}{{sfn|Senior|2016|loc=103}}}}

The letter was not well received by the council or police.{{sfn|Senior|2016|loc=105–108}}<ref name="yorkshire post">{{cite news |date=16 September 2014 |title=Timeline: How Rotherham grooming scandal unfolded—and how they tried to ignore it |url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/general-news/timeline-how-rotherham-grooming-scandal-unfolded-and-how-they-tried-to-ignore-it-1-6843323 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627065102/http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/general-news/timeline-how-rotherham-grooming-scandal-unfolded-and-how-they-tried-to-ignore-it-1-6843323 |archive-date=27 June 2015 |access-date=16 September 2014 |work=The Yorkshire Post}}</ref> During a meeting at Rotherham police station with senior police and council officials, they seemed incensed that Weir had written to the Chief Constable. Jayne Senior, who was present, said Weir was subjected to a "tirade that lasted I don't know how long".{{sfn|Senior|2016|loc=106}} According to Weir, at some point after this an official warned her against mentioning Asian men and booked a diversity training course for her.{{efn|According to Weir: "She [the official] said you must never refer to that again. You must never refer to Asian men. And her other response was to book me on a two-day ethnicity and diversity course to raise my awareness of ethnic issues.<ref name=BBC1Sept2014>{{cite news|title=Rotherham abuse: Researcher 'faced council hostility'|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-29012571|work=BBC News|date=1 September 2014}}{{pb}}
"The Rotherham Grooming Scandal", ''Panorama'', BBC, 1 September 2014, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOljcx3eGVs&t=10m20s 00:10:15].{{pb}}
Tom Brooks-Pollock (2 September 2014). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11069178/Rotherham-researcher-sent-on-diversity-course-after-raising-alarm.html "Rotherham researcher 'sent on diversity course' after raising alarm"], ''The Daily Telegraph''.</ref>{{sfn|Senior|2016|loc=106}}}}

=== Files removed ===
[[File:Rotherham town centre, September 2016.jpg|thumb|Rotherham town centre, September 2016]]
At their request, Weir sent her data to the Home Office evaluators in Bedfordshire in April 2002, which reportedly upset the Risky Business manager.{{sfn|Weir|2014|loc=¶ 14}} Around 18 April 2002, when she arrived at work, Weir said she discovered her Home Office pilot data had been removed from the Risky Business office.{{efn|[[#Adele Weir|Adele Weir]]{{Broken anchor|date=2025-01-14|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=#Adele Weir|reason= The anchor (Adele Weir) [[Special:Diff/1266774082|has been deleted]].}} (in evidence to the [[Home Affairs Select Committee|Home Affairs Committee]], 2014): "I was told that over the weekend somebody had gained access to the Risky Business office, opened the filing cabinets and removed all of the data relating to the Home Office work. To be clear to the committee that involved accessing the grounds of the International Centre; gaining access to the Centre itself; disarming the alarm; moving through a key coded and locked security door; unlocking the door to the part of the building where the project office was located; unlocking the door to the project office itself; unlocking a desk and finding the keys to the filing cabinets; identifying which filing cabinet had my Home Office pilot data in it; and removing my data but nothing else. There were no signs of a forced entry."{{sfn|Weir|2014|loc=¶ 15}}{{sfn|Home Affairs Committee (c)|2014|loc=5–6}}{{sfn|Senior|2016|loc=109–116}}<ref name=BBC29660345/><ref>{{cite news|title=MPs seek hidden files on Rotherham sex-grooming|first=Andrew |last=Norfolk|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/mps-seek-hidden-files-on-rotherham-sex-grooming-n8ljqhw5hh8|newspaper=The Times|date=9 January 2013}}</ref><ref name=Norfolk29Aug2014>Andrew Norfolk and Billy Kenber (29 August 2014). [https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/rotherham-seized-files-in-grooming-cover-up-gpbxhrq8dn7 "Rotherham 'seized files in grooming cover up'"], ''The Times''.</ref><ref name="DataStolen">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/sep/01/home-office-rotherham-child-abuse-research-stolen-claim-panorama |title=Home Office worker investigating Rotherham child abuse 'had data stolen' |first=Martin |last=Williams |work=The Guardian |date= 1 September 2014 }}</ref><ref name=Harley29Aug2014>{{cite news |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11062758/Scandal-hit-Rotherham-deleted-abuse-files.html |title=Scandal hit Rotherham 'deleted abuse files' |first=Nicky |last=Harley|date= 29 August 2014 |work=The Daily Telegraph }}</ref>}} According to Weir's evidence to the Home Affairs Committee, documents had been deleted. She also said that someone had created, on the password-protected office computer, the minutes of meetings that Weir had purportedly attended, which showed her agreeing to certain conditions, such as not submitting data to Home Office evaluators without her line manager's consent. Weir told the committee that she had not agreed to those conditions or attended any such meeting. She said one of the meetings had taken place while she was on holiday overseas.{{sfn|Weir|2014|loc=¶ 16}}

Weir was told that social services, the police and education staff had met over the weekend, and had decided that Risky Business staff were "exceeding [their] roles".{{sfn|Weir|2014|loc=¶ 26–27}} Weir was suspended for an "act of gross misconduct" after having included in her report data from confidential minutes, but she reportedly negotiated a return to work by demonstrating her manager had passed those minutes to the Home Office evaluators.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=86}} She was told she would no longer have access to Risky Business data, meetings, or the girls. In June 2002 she was asked to amend her report to "anonymise individuals and institutions and only include facts and evidence that you are able to substantiate".{{sfn|Weir|2014|loc=¶ 26–27}} The Jay Report said the secrecy surrounding the report and the treatment of Weir was "deeply troubling": "If the senior people concerned had paid more attention to the content of the report, more might have been done to help children who were being violently exploited and abused."{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=87}}<ref>Also see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMVhKw01vbA "Interview with Hilary Willmer"], ([[Parents Against Child Sexual Exploitation]]), Channel 4 News, 1 September 2014.</ref>

== Heal reports (2002–2006) ==
=== 2002 report ===
[[File:South Yorkshire Police headquarters, Sheffield.jpg|thumb|[[South Yorkshire Police]] headquarters, Snig Hill, [[Sheffield]]]]
In 2002–2007 South Yorkshire Police hired Angie Heal, a strategic drugs analyst, to carry out research on drug use and supply in the area.{{sfn|Gladman|Heal|2017|loc=24}} Working in the drug strategy unit with two police officers, Heal wrote several reports during this period.{{sfn|Gladman|Heal|2017|loc=27}}{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=87}} She first encountered examples of organised child sexual abuse in 2002 while researching the local supply of [[crack cocaine]], and consulted Jayne Senior of Risky Business and Anne Lucas, the child exploitation service officer in Sheffield. Lucas explained that part of the grooming process was to give the children drugs.{{sfn|Gladman|Heal|2017|loc=24–25}} Heal's first report in 2002 recommended dealing with the child-abuse rings; if the evidence was lacking to prosecute for sex offences, they could be prosecuted for drugs offences instead. Heal wrote in 2017 that her report was widely read, but she "could not believe the complete lack of interest" in the links she had provided between the local drug trade and child abuse.{{sfn|Gladman|Heal|2017|loc=24–25}}

=== 2003 report ===
Heal decided to continue researching the issue and included CSE in her bi-annual intelligence briefings. While Heal was preparing her second report, ''Sexual Exploitation, Drug Use and Drug Dealing: Current Situation in South Yorkshire'' (2003), Jayne Senior secretly shared with her Adele Weir's Home Office report from 2002. Heal wrote that she actually felt scared after she had read it, given the level of detail, the lack of interest, and the sidelining of Weir.{{sfn|Gladman|Heal|2017|loc=26}} Heal's 2003 report noted that Rotherham had a "significant number of girls and some boys who are being sexually exploited"; that the victims were being gang raped, kidnapped and subjected to other violence; that a significant number had become pregnant, and were depressed, angry and self-harming; and that Risky Business had identified four of the perpetrators as brothers.{{sfn|Heal|2003}}{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=88}} Heal created two versions of her report. One was for wider distribution among officials; the second, for the police alone, contained the names of the perpetrators, obtained from Risky Business.{{sfn|Heal|2014}}<ref>Chris Burn (5 May 2015). [http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/exclusive-south-yorkshire-police-given-list-of-key-sheffield-and-rotherham-abuse-suspects-in-2003-1-7243228 "Exclusive: South Yorkshire Police given list of key Sheffield and Rotherham abuse suspects in 2003"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426060054/http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/exclusive-south-yorkshire-police-given-list-of-key-sheffield-and-rotherham-abuse-suspects-in-2003-1-7243228 |date=26 April 2017 }}, ''The Star'' (Rotherham).</ref>

=== 2006 report ===
In 2005, a new department of children and young people's services was created, with Councillor [[Shaun Wright]] appointed [[Executive arrangements|cabinet member]] for the department.<ref name="BBCNews5May2015" /> In March 2006, the conference "Every Child Matters, But Do They Know it?" was held in Rotherham to discuss children's sexual exploitation.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=9}} Heal's third report, ''Violence and Gun Crime: Links with Sexual Exploitation, Prostitution and Drug Markets in South Yorkshire'' (2006), noted that the situation was continuing and involved "systematic physical and sexual violence against young women". The victims were being trafficked to other towns, and the violence used was "very severe". If the girls protested, the perpetrators threatened to involve the girls' younger sisters, friends and family.{{sfn|Heal|2006|loc=10–11}} There had also been an increase in reports of the perpetrators being seen with guns.{{sfn|Heal|2006|loc=12}}

In Heal's study, the majority of identified victims in Yorkshire were [[White British]] girls, targeted from age 11; the average age was 12–13. [[British Asian]] girls were also targeted, but even less was known about the number of Asian victims, because their abuse was not part of the same scene, and therefore poorly understood by researchers. The most significant group of perpetrators of localised grooming were British Asian men. Heal wrote that several employees dealing with the issue believed that the perpetrators' ethnicity was preventing the abuse from being addressed.{{sfn|Heal|2006|loc=14, 16–17}}{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=88–89}} One worker said that British-Asian taxi drivers in Rotherham had been involved for 30 years, but in the 1970s the crimes had not been organised. Heal added that a high-profile publicity campaign was underway about the trafficking of women from Eastern Europe, with posters in [[Doncaster Sheffield Airport]], while the issue of local trafficking "appears to be largely ignored".{{sfn|Heal|2006|loc=18}} The report recommended: "More emphasis should be placed on tackling the abusers, rather than the abused."{{sfn|Heal|2006|loc=18}}

Heal sent her 2006 report to everyone involved in the Rotherham Drugs Partnership,{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=9}} and to the South Yorkshire Police district commander and chief superintendents.<ref name="BBCNews5May2015">[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-32586558 "Rotherham abuse warning reports released"], ''BBC News'', 5 May 2015.</ref><ref name="key dates">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28955170 |title=Rotherham abuse scandal: Key dates |work=BBC News |date= 2 September 2014 }}</ref> Shortly after this, according to the Jay report, Risky Business's funding was increased, and the council's Safeguarding Children Board approved an "Action Plan for responding to the sexual exploitation of children and young people in Rotherham".{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=9}} Heal said that, around this time, it became clear she was being sidelined. The drug strategy unit was disbanded, and she was told that several officers in her department were not supportive of her work. She has said the lack of support "will never fail to astonish and sadden" her. She left the South Yorkshire Police in March 2007. Her 2003 and 2006 reports were released by South Yorkshire Police in May 2015 following a [[Freedom of Information Act 2000|Freedom of Information Act]] request.{{sfn|Gladman|Heal|2017|loc=27–28}}{{sfn|Heal|2003}}{{sfn|Heal|2006}}

== Home Affairs Committee (2013–2014) {{anchor|Home}} ==

=== Initial hearing and report (2013) ===
The House of Commons [[Home Affairs Select Committee|Home Affairs Committee]] began hearing evidence about localised grooming in June 2012, as a result of the [[#2010 convictions|Rotherham convictions in 2010]] (Operation Central), Andrew Norfolk's articles in the ''Times'', and the [[Rochdale child sex abuse ring]] (Operation Span), which saw 12 men convicted in May 2012.{{sfn|Home Affairs Committee (a)|2013|loc=3–4, 19}} The committee published its report, ''Child sexual exploitation and the response to localised grooming'', in June 2013, with a follow-up in October 2014 in response to the [[#Jay|Jay report]].

[[File:Keith Vaz, 2016 Labour Party Conference.jpg|thumb|left|[[Keith Vaz]], chair of the [[Home Affairs Select Committee|Home Affairs Committee]], 2007–2016]]
In October 2012 the committee criticised South Yorkshire's chief constable, [[David Crompton]], and one of its senior officers, Philip Etheridge.<ref name="BBCpolice" /> The committee heard evidence that three members of a family connected with the abuse of 61 girls had not been charged, and no action was taken when a 22-year-old man was found in a car with a 12-year-old girl, with indecent images of her on his phone. Crompton said that "ethnic origin" was not a factor in deciding whether to charge suspects. The committee said that they were very concerned, as was the public.<ref name="BBCpolice" /> In January 2013 the committee summoned the head of Rotherham Council, Martin Kimber, to explain the lack of arrests, despite South Yorkshire Police saying it was conducting investigations and the council having identified 58 young girls at risk.<ref name="BBCsorry">{{cite news |date=8 January 2013 |title=Rotherham council apologises to child grooming victims |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-20951491 |work=BBC News}}</ref> committee chair, [[Keith Vaz]], questioned why, after five Asian men were jailed in 2010, more was not done: "In Lancashire there were 100 prosecutions the year before last, in South Yorkshire there were no prosecutions." The council apologised for the "systemic failure" that had "let down" the victims.<ref name="BBCsorry" />

During a hearing in September 2014 to discuss Rotherham, Vaz told Crompton that the committee was shocked by the evidence, and that it held South Yorkshire Police responsible. Asked about an incident in which a 13-year-old found in a flat with a group of men was arrested for being drunk and disorderly, Crompton said it would be referred to the [[Independent Police Complaints Commission]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-29125890 "Ex Rotherham police chief 'failed' abuse victims"], ''BBC News'', 9 September 2014.</ref>

=== Follow-up report (2014) ===
The committee's follow-up report on 18 October 2014 detailed the [[#Files|disappearance of Adele Weir's files]] containing data on the abuse from the Risky Business office in 2002.{{sfn|Home Affairs Committee (c)|2014|loc=5–6}}<ref name="BBC29660345">{{cite news |date=18 October 2014 |title=Rotherham abuse scandal: MPs want missing files answers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29660345 |work=BBC News}}</ref> The allegations were made in private hearings. Keith Vaz said: "The proliferation of revelations about files which can no longer be located gives rise to public suspicion of a deliberate cover-up. The only way to address these concerns is with a full, transparent and urgent investigation." The report called for new legislation to allow the removal of elected [[Police and Crime Commissioners]] following a vote of no confidence.<ref name="BBC29660345" />

== Jay Report (2014)==
In October 2013, Rotherham Council commissioned [[Alexis Jay]], a former chief social work adviser to the [[Scottish government]], to conduct an independent inquiry into [[Rotherham Council]]'s handling of [[Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom#Group-based child sexual exploitation|child sexual exploitation]] reports since 1997.{{sfn|Jay|2014}}<ref name="BBC1Nov2013">{{cite news |date=1 November 2013 |title=Alexis Jay will lead child abuse failings probe at Rotherham |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-24771229 |work=BBC News}}</ref> The '''Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham''', or '''Jay Report''', was published on 26 August 2014. It said that, as a "conservative estimate", at least 1,400 children had been sexually exploited in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013.{{efn|[[#Report|Jay report]] (2014): "...the Inquiry concluded that an at least 1400 children were sexually exploited between 1997 and 2013. This is likely to be a conservative estimate of the true scale of the problem. We are unable to assess the numbers of other children who may have been at risk of exploitation, or those who were exploited but not known to any agency. This includes some who were forced to witness other children being assaulted and abused."{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=29–30}}}} According to the report, children as young as 11 were "raped by multiple perpetrators, abducted, trafficked to other cities in England, beaten and intimidated".{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=35}}<ref name="Peachey26Aug2014">{{cite news |last=Peachey |first=Paul |date=26 August 2014 |title=Rotherham child abuse report finds 1,400 children subjected to 'appalling' sexual exploitation within 16-year period |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/rotherham-child-abuse-report-finds-1400-children-subjected-to-appalling-sexual-exploitation-within-16year-period-9691825.html |work=The Independent}}</ref>

Taxi drivers were a "common thread", picking up children for sex from schools and care homes.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=71–74}}<ref>{{cite news |first=Homa |last=Khaleeli|title=Rotherham: 'It's sad that it's taken something so horrific to give voice to these girls' |newspaper=The Guardian |date=3 September 2014 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/sep/03/rotherham-you-cant-blame-all-of-us}}</ref> The inquiry team found examples of extreme threats, violence and rape.{{efn|Reports included "a child [who] was doused in petrol and threatened with being set alight, children who were threatened with guns, children who witnessed brutally violent rapes and were threatened that they would be the next victim if they told anyone. Girls as young as 11 were raped by large numbers of male perpetrators, one after the other."{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=36}}<ref name="BBC26Aug2014">{{cite news |date=26 August 2014 |title=Rotherham child abuse scandal: 1,400 children exploited, report finds |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-28939089 |work=BBC News}}</ref>}} According to the report, one child withdrew her statements after she received a text threatening her sister. At least two other families were intimidated and felt unable to go to the police.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=36}} According to the report, the police had shown a lack of respect for the victims in the early 2000s, deeming them "undesirables" unworthy of police protection.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=69}} The concerns of [[Jayne Senior]], the former youth worker, were met with "indifference and scorn".<ref name="WSJ22May2014">{{cite news |last1=Coker |first1=Margaret |last2=Flynn |first2=Alexis |date=22 May 2015 |title=One Woman's Crusade for U.K. Town's Young Rape Victims |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/one-womans-crusade-for-u-k-towns-young-rape-victims-1432324162 |work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=14 October 2014 |title=Charity worker who fought to expose Rotherham child abuse to work for victims |url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/politics/charity-worker-who-fought-to-expose-rotherham-child-abuse-to-work-for-victims-1-6895763 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626164051/http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/politics/charity-worker-who-fought-to-expose-rotherham-child-abuse-to-work-for-victims-1-6895763 |archive-date=26 June 2015 |access-date=20 May 2016 |work=The Yorkshire Post}}</ref> Several council staff described themselves as being nervous about identifying the ethnic origins of perpetrators for fear of being thought racist, since most were of Pakistani heritage; others, the report said, "remembered clear direction from their managers" not to make such identification.<ref name="johnson">Becky Johnson, "[https://news.sky.com/story/horrific-cases-of-child-abuse-in-rotherham-10391876 'Horrific' cases of child abuse in Rotherham]", Sky News, 26 August 2014.</ref>

The report noted the experience of [[#Adele Weir|Adele Weir]], the [[Home Office]] researcher, who attempted to raise concerns about the abuse with senior police officers in 2002; she was told not to do so again, and was subsequently sidelined.<ref name="Peachey26Aug2014" /> In some instances, fathers who had tracked down their daughters and tried to remove them from houses where they were being abused were themselves arrested by police.<ref name="e766">{{cite news |date=30 August 2014 |title=See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil |url=https://www.economist.com/britain/2014/08/30/see-no-evil-hear-no-evil-speak-no-evil |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200229035357/https://www.economist.com/britain/2014/08/30/see-no-evil-hear-no-evil-speak-no-evil |archive-date=29 February 2020 |access-date=1 January 2025 |newspaper=The Economist}}</ref> Staff described Rotherham Council as macho, sexist and bullying. There were sexist and harassing comments to female employees, particularly during 1997–2009. The Jay report noted that "[t]he existence of such a culture ... is likely to have impeded the Council from providing an effective, corporate response to such a highly sensitive social problem as child sexual exploitation."{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=114–115}} Several people who spoke to the Jay inquiry were concerned that Rotherham Council officials were connected to the perpetrators through business interests such as the taxi firm; the police said there was no evidence of this.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=113}}

=== Ethnic, religious and cultural factors ===
The Jay Report did not specify the ethnicity of the victims or the perpetrators, but it said: "In a large number of the historic cases in particular, most of the victims in the cases we sampled were white British children, and the majority of the perpetrators were from minority ethnic communities."{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=35}} It also described other, less investigated cases in which Asian women and girls were the primary victims,<ref>{{harvnb|Jay|2014|p=94|}}</ref> despite the belief that the victims were only white. Social isolation and fear of dishonour prevented Asian victims from coming forward.<ref>{{harvnb|Jay|2014|p=94}}</ref> The report further said that "there is no simple link between race and child sexual exploitation, and across the UK the greatest numbers of perpetrators of CSE are white men".{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=91,94}} The ethnicity of offenders has also increased community tensions and led to far-right marches and violence in the town. An 81-year-old man was murdered by two white men who called him a "groomer" as they attacked him.<ref name="dearden 2024">{{cite news| last1=Lizzie Dearden|title=Rotherham grooming gangs may have abused more than 1,500 victims, investigators reveal |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/rotherham-grooming-gangs-1500-victims-investigation-police-national-crime-agency-pakistani-white-latest-court-a8219971.html|access-date=14 September 2024|website=Independent}}</ref>

==== Underreporting due to ethnicity, religion or culture ====
According to the Muslim Women's Network UK, cited in the Jay Report, Asian victims may be particularly vulnerable to threats of bringing shame and dishonour to their families,<ref>{{cite web |last=Topping |first=Alexandra |date=10 September 2013 |title=Abuse of Asian girls missed because of focus on white victims, says report |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/sep/10/abuse-asian-girls-missed-white-victims |website=The Guardian}}</ref> and may have believed that reporting the abuse would be an admission they had violated their cultural beliefs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shabnam Mahmood |date=24 November 2014 |title=Yorkshire Muslim girl speaks of grooming ordeal |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-30152240 |access-date=13 February 2018 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Khaleeli |first=Homa |date=3 September 2014 |title=Rotherham: 'It's sad that it's taken something so horrific to give voice to these girls' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/sep/03/rotherham-you-cant-blame-all-of-us |website=The Guardian}}</ref> One of the local Pakistani women's groups had described Pakistani girls being targeted by Pakistani taxi drivers and landlords, but they feared reporting to the police out of concerns for their marriage prospects.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=95}} The report suggested "the under-reporting of exploitation and abuse in minority ethnic communities" should be addressed.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=95}}

In response to claims that social services had failed to act through [[political correctness]], the Jay Report "found no evidence of children's social care staff being influenced by concerns about the ethnic origins of suspected perpetrators when dealing with individual child protection cases, including CSE".{{sfn|Jay|2014|page=91}} In 2021, an investigation by the ''Times'' suggested [[South Yorkshire Police]] was not routinely recording the ethnicity of child sexual abuse suspects. In Rotherham, police omitted suspect ethnicity in 67% of cases. The force said it had increased reporting of ethnicity since 2019.<ref>{{cite news |date=30 December 2021 |title=Rotherham grooming: South Yorkshire Police not recording ethnicity |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-59828338 |access-date=20 April 2023 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

=== Aftermath ===
Following the Jay Report, [[Roger Stone (councillor)|Roger Stone]], Labour leader of Rotherham Council, and Martin Kimber, its chief executive, both resigned.<ref>{{cite news |date=8 September 2014 |title=Rotherham child abuse: Martin Kimber, council chief exec, to step down |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29109918 |work=BBC News}}</ref> Joyce Thacker, the council's director of children's services, and [[Shaun Wright]], the [[Police and Crime Commissioner]] (PCC) for South Yorkshire Police from 2012—and Labour councillor in charge of child safety at the council from 2005 to 2010—stepped down in September 2014, under pressure. Wright was asked to step down by [[Theresa May]], then [[Home Secretary]], as well as by members of his own party, including Rotherham's Labour MP [[Sarah Champion (politician)|Sarah Champion]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Pidd |first=Helen |date=27 August 2014 |title=Shaun Wright's record in Rotherham comes under uncomfortable scrutiny |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/aug/27/rotherham-abuse-stark-evidence-ignored-by-police-and-council |newspaper=The Guardian}}{{pb}}
{{cite news |date=16 September 2014 |title=PCC Shaun Wright resigns over Rotherham child abuse scandal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29220535 |work=BBC News}}{{pb}}
{{cite web |date=19 September 2014 |title=Rotherham abuse scandal: Children's services director Joyce Thacker quits |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29286638 |work=BBC News}}</ref> He resigned from the Labour Party, on 27 August 2014, after an ultimatum by the party to do so or face suspension.<ref>{{cite news |date=27 August 2014 |title=Rotherham child abuse: Police commissioner quits Labour |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28962144 |work=BBC News}}{{pb}}
{{cite news |date=27 August 2014 |title=Police Commissioner Shaun Wright Will Be Suspended By Labour If He Does Not Resign |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/08/27/south-yorkshires-police-commissioner-shaun-wright-will-be-suspended-by-labour-if-he-does-not-resign_n_5725408.html |newspaper=Huffington Post (UK)}}</ref>

Roger Stone was suspended from the Labour Party, as were councillors Gwendoline Russell and Shaukat Ali, and former deputy council leader Jahangir Akhtar, who had lost his council seat in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |date=2 September 2014 |title=Labour party members suspended over abuse scandal |url=http://www.itv.com/news/calendar/update/2014-09-02/councillors-suspended-over-sex-abuse-scandal/ |publisher=ITV News}}</ref> Malcolm Newsam was appointed as Children's Social Care Commissioner in October 2014, and subsequently Ian Thomas was appointed as interim director of children's services.<ref>[http://www.rotherham.gov.uk/news/article/268/rotherham_borough_councils_response_to_department_of_education_announcement Rotherham BC, "Rotherham Borough Council's response to Department of Education announcement"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402135229/http://www.rotherham.gov.uk/news/article/268/rotherham_borough_councils_response_to_department_of_education_announcement|date=2 April 2015}}, 7 October 2014.</ref><ref name="gdn171214">{{cite news |last=Pidd |first=Helen |date=17 December 2014 |title=Incoming Rotherham children's chief: 'It's the most difficult job in Britain' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/dec/17/ian-thomas-rotherham-childrens-services-sexual-abuse-difficult-job |work=The Guardian}}</ref>

=== Reception ===
[[File:Denis MacShane, February 2008 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Denis MacShane]]]]
The Jay Report received extensive news coverage.{{sfn|Boyd|2015|loc=7–8}} In response, David Crompton, Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police from 2012 to 2016, invited the [[National Crime Agency]] to conduct an independent inquiry.<ref name="NCA18Dec2014" /> [[Keith Vaz]], then chair of the Home Affairs Committee, told [[Meredydd Hughes]], Chief Constable from 2004 to 2011, that Hughes had failed abuse victims.<ref>{{cite web |date=9 September 2014 |title=Ex Rotherham police chief 'failed' abuse victims |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-29125890 |work=BBC News}}</ref> [[Theresa May]], then [[Home Secretary]], accused the authorities of a "dereliction of duty". She blamed several factors, including Rotherham Council's "institutionalised political correctness", inadequate scrutiny and culture of covering things up, combined with a fear of being seen as racist and a "disdainful attitude" toward the children.{{efn|name=MayCommons|[[Theresa May]] (2 September 2014): "Professor Alexis Jay's report into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013 is a terrible account of the appalling failures by Rotherham council, the police and other agencies to protect vulnerable children. What happened was a complete dereliction of duty. ... My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government shares my concerns over the failings by Rotherham council that have been identified. This includes the inadequate scrutiny by councillors, institutionalised political correctness, the covering up of information and the failure to take action against gross misconduct. ... I am clear that cultural concerns—both the fear of being seen as racist and the disdainful attitude to some of our most vulnerable children—must never stand in the way of child protection."<ref name=May2Sept2014>Theresa May (2 September 2014). [https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2014-09-02/debates/14090236000001/ChildSexAbuse "Child Sex Abuse (Rotherham)"], ''Hansard'', vol. 585.</ref>}} [[Denis MacShane]], [[Member of Parliament|MP]] for [[Rotherham (UK Parliament constituency)|Rotherham]] from [[1994 Rotherham by-election|1994]] until his resignation in [[2012 Rotherham by-election|2012]] for claiming false expenses, blamed a culture of "not wanting to rock the multicultural community boat".<ref name="Rayner27Aug2014">Gordon Rayner (27 August 2014). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11059643/Denis-MacShane-I-was-too-much-of-a-liberal-leftie-and-should-have-done-more-to-investigate-child-abuse.html "Denis MacShane: I was too much of a 'liberal leftie' and should have done more to investigate child abuse"], ''The Daily Telegraph''.{{pb}}
[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-25492017 "Denis MacShane jailed for MP expenses fraud"], ''BBC News'', 23 December 2013.</ref> [[Simon Danczuk]], Labour MP for [[Rochdale (UK Parliament constituency)|Rochdale]], where [[Rochdale child sex abuse ring|similar cases]] were prosecuted, argued that ethnicity, class and the night-time economy were all factors, adding that "a very small minority" in the Asian community have an unhealthy view of women, and that an "unhealthy brand of politics 'imported' from Pakistan", which involved "looking after your own", was partly to blame.<ref>{{cite news |last=Chakelian |first=Anoosh |date=28 August 2014 |title=How have MPs dealt with cases like the Rotherham child abuse scandal in the past? |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2014/08/how-mps-have-dealt-past-similar-cases-rotherham-child-abuse-scandal |newspaper=New Statesman}}</ref><ref name="Danczuk1">{{cite news |last=Bingham |first=John |date=31 August 2014 |title=Rotherham: politics 'imported from Pakistan' fuelled sex abuse cover-up – MP |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/11066646/Rotherham-politics-imported-from-Pakistan-fuelled-sex-abuse-cover-up-MP.html |work=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref>

[[File:Nazir Afzal OBE (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Nazir Afzal]]]]
British [[Muslim]]s and members of the British-Pakistani community condemned both the abuse and that it had been covered up.<ref>Trevor Grundy (28 August 2014). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/political-correctness-about-muslims-may-have-led-uk-officials-to-ignore-reports-of-sex-abuse/2014/08/28/c11721b6-2edb-11e4-be9e-60cc44c01e7f_story.html "Political correctness about Muslims may have led UK officials to ignore reports of sex abuse"], ''The Washington Post''.{{pb}}
{{cite news |date=27 August 2014 |title=Real or imagined: Racism 'fear' over Rotherham child abuse |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-28951612 |work=BBC News}}</ref> [[Nazir Afzal]], Chief Crown Prosecutor of the [[Crown Prosecution Service]] (CPS) for [[North West England]] from 2011 to 2015, made the decision in 2011 to prosecute the [[Rochdale child sex abuse ring]] after the CPS had turned the case down.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wertheimer |first=Fay |date=21 November 2012 |title=Nazir Afzal: how the CPS plans to bring more child abusers to justice |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/nov/21/nazir-afzal-cps-child-abuse |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Responding to the Jay Report, he said the abuse had no basis in [[Islam]]: "Islam says that alcohol, drugs, rape and abuse are all forbidden, yet these men were surrounded by all of these things."<ref name="Gentleman3Sept2014">{{cite news |last1=Gentleman |first1=Amelia |date=3 September 2014 |title=Nazir Afzal: 'There is no religious basis for the abuse in Rotherham' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/sep/03/nazir-afzal-there-is-no-religious-basis-for-the-abuse-in-rotherham |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Afzal suggested the cases were about male power: "It is not the abusers' race that defines them. It is their attitude to women that defines them." He also said the handling of the cases was a matter of incompetence rather than [[political correctness]], and said that the nature of the night-time economy skewed the picture—more Pakistani-heritage men work at night and might therefore be more involved in that kind of activity.<ref name="Gentleman3Sept2014" /> The incoming director of children's services in Rotherham, Ian Thomas, said that the "night-time economy is full of white blokes".<ref name="gdn171214" /> Alexis Jay said that working in the night-time economy "presents an opportunity but it doesn't present a motive".<ref name="Pidd13July2015" />

The UK [[Hindu Council UK|Hindu Council]] and the [[Sikh Federation (UK)|Sikh Federation]] asked that the perpetrators be described as Pakistani Muslims, rather than Asian.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dearden |first=Lizzie |date=28 February 2016 |title=Sikh group calls for politicians and media to stop using term 'Asian' to describe Rotherham grooming gang |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/sikh-group-calls-for-politicians-and-media-to-stop-using-term-asian-to-describe-rotherham-grooming-a6901166.html |work=The Independent}}</ref> Far-right groups [[Britain First]] and the [[English Defence League]] staged protests in Rotherham, as did [[Unite Against Fascism]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Palmer |first=Ewan |date=28 August 2014 |title=Rotherham Child Abuse Scandal: EDL and Britain First Stage Protests Following 'Appalling' Report |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/rotherham-child-abuse-scandal-edl-britain-first-stage-protests-following-appalling-report-1463039 |work=[[International Business Times]]}}{{pb}}
{{cite news |last=Williams |first=Martin |date=13 September 2014 |title=EDL supporters attack police during Rotherham sex abuse protest |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/sep/13/edl-english-defence-league-protesters-attack-police-rotherham-demonstration |work=The Guardian}}</ref>

== Casey inquiry (2015){{anchor|Casey}} ==
Following the Jay report, the [[Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government]], [[Eric Pickles]], commissioned an independent inspection of Rotherham Council.{{sfn|Casey|2015|loc=6}} Led by [[Louise Casey]], director-general of the government's [[Troubled Families]] programme, the inspection examined the council's governance, services for children and young people, and taxi and private-hire licensing.<ref name="bbc29151234">{{cite web |date=10 September 2014 |title=Rotherham Council to be subject of independent inspection |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-29151234 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

Published in February 2015, the Casey report concluded that Rotherham Council was "not fit for purpose".{{sfn|Casey|2015|loc=9}} Casey identified a culture of "bullying, sexism ... and misplaced 'political correctness'", along with a history of covering up information and silencing [[whistleblower]]s. The child-sexual-exploitation team was poorly directed, suffered from excessive case loads, and did not share information.{{sfn|Casey|2015|loc=9, 11}} The council had a history of failing to deal with issues around race: "Staff perceived that there was only a small step between mentioning the ethnicity of perpetrators and being labelled a racist."{{sfn|Casey|2015|loc=34}} The Pakistani-heritage councillors were left to deal with all issues pertaining to that community, which left them able to exert disproportionate influence, while white councillors ignored their responsibilities. Councillor Jahangir Akhtar, in particular, was named as too influential, including regarding police matters.{{sfn|Casey|2015|loc=32–34}}

In February 2015, the government replaced its elected officers with a team of five commissioners, including one tasked specifically with looking at children's services.<ref name="bbc31130750" /> Files relating to one current and one former councillor identifying "a number of potentially criminal matters" were passed to the [[National Crime Agency]]. The leader of the council, Paul Lakin, resigned, and members of the council cabinet also stood down.<ref name="bbc31130750" />

== Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation (2020) ==
The [[Independent Police Complaints Commission]] (IPCC) began an investigation into allegations of police wrongdoing following the Jay report. It was the second-largest inquiry the IPCC has undertaken after the inquiry into the 1989 [[Hillsborough disaster|Hillsborough football disaster]] in Sheffield; that game was policed by South Yorkshire Police. As of March 2017 nine inquiries were complete, with no case to answer regarding officer conduct, but recommendations were made to the force about the recording of information. Another 53 investigations were underway.<ref>[https://www.ipcc.gov.uk/news/ipcc-begins-concluding-some-rotherham-csa-investigations "IPCC begins concluding some Rotherham CSA investigations"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806222923/https://www.ipcc.gov.uk/news/ipcc-begins-concluding-some-rotherham-csa-investigations|date=6 August 2017}}, IPCC, 8 March 2017.{{pb}}
Nazia Parveen (9 March 2017). [https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/mar/09/rotherham-sexual-abuse-scandal-no-misconduct-found-so-far-ipcc-says "Rotherham sexual abuse scandal: no misconduct found so far, IPCC says"], ''The Guardian''.</ref>

According to Andrew Norfolk in ''The Times'', one Rotherham police officer had been in regular contact with one of the perpetrators. In one incident in March 2000, he and a local taxi driver—who later became a Rotherham councillor—are alleged to have arranged for [[#Arshid Hussain|Arshid Hussain]], arguably the gang's ringleader, to hand a girl over to police at a petrol station "in exchange for immunity".<ref>Andrew Norfolk (16 January 2016). [https://www.thetimes.com/uk/law/article/rotherham-boss-helped-broker-deal-over-girl-zkj9xjzrgpl "Rotherham boss 'helped broker deal over girl'"], ''The Times''.{{pb}}
Andrew Norfolk (5 February 2015). [https://www.thetimes.com/best-law-firms/profile-legal/article/jahangir-akhtar-kingpin-who-had-influence-over-police-0kdgx9d8kxz "Rotherham: politicians and police 'abused girls'"], ''The Times''.</ref><ref name="OCarrollHalliday25Feb2016">Lisa O'Carroll and Josh Halliday (25 February 2016). [https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/feb/25/how-a-rotherham-gang-with-history-of-criminality-abused-vulnerable-girls "How a Rotherham gang with history of criminality abused vulnerable girls"], ''The Guardian''.</ref> Another complaint concerned the same officer, who reportedly asked two of the victims out on a date. One victim reported this to police in August 2013, but no action was taken. The IPCC was also investigating the officer who failed to act on the report.<ref name="YPost6Feb2015">[http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/rotherham-pc-implicated-in-child-sex-scandal-dies-after-car-crash-1-7093276 "Rotherham Pc implicated in child sex scandal dies after car crash"], ''The Yorkshire Post'', 6 February 2015.{{pb}}
Martin Evans (6 February 2015). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11395663/PC-under-investigation-over-Rotherham-sex-abuse-scandal-dies-in-crash.html "PC under investigation over Rotherham sex abuse scandal dies in crash"], ''The Daily Telegraph''.{{pb}}
[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-39006994 "Man cleared over Rotherham PC's car crash death"], ''BBC News'', 17 February 2017.</ref><ref>Andrew Norfolk (19 December 2015). [https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/rotherham-detective-had-sex-with-girls-grooming-trial-told-zc79xv03c7f "Rotherham detective had sex with girls, grooming trial told"], ''The Times'', 19 December 2015.</ref> The first officer died in January 2015 after being hit by a car in Sheffield, in an unrelated accident.<ref name="YPost6Feb2015" />

A five-year investigation by the [[Independent Office for Police Conduct]] (IOPC) found that the Rotherham police ignored the sexual abuse of children for decades for fear of increasing racial tensions. The IOPC upheld a complaint from the father of one of the victims that police took "insufficient action". The complainant claims he was told by a police officer the town "would erupt" if it became known that Asian men were regularly sexually abusing underage girls.<ref>{{cite news |last=Chief Investigative Reporter |first=Andrew Norfolk |date=18 January 2020 |title=Rotherham police chief: we ignored sex abuse of children |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/police-chief-we-ignored-sex-abuse-of-children-hgrhc358v |access-date=24 January 2020 |work=The Times |issn=0140-0460}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=18 January 2020 |title=Rotherham child sex abuse victim 'vindicated' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-51160707 |access-date=24 January 2020 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=18 January 2020 |title=Rotherham police did not do enough to protect girls from abuse by Asian men, says watchdog |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/01/18/rotherham-police-did-not-do-enough-protect-girls-abuse-asian/ |access-date=24 January 2020 |work=The Telegraph |issn=0307-1235 |agency=Press Association}}</ref>

== Home Office Report (2020) ==
The Rotherham case was among several cases which prompted investigations into the claim that the majority of perpetrators from grooming gangs were British Pakistani. The first, by [[Quilliam (think tank)|Quilliam]], was published in December 2017, and claimed 84% of offenders were of South Asian heritage.<ref>{{cite news |last=Barnes |first=Tom |date=10 December 2017 |title=British-Pakistani researchers say grooming gangs are 84% Asian |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/quilliam-grooming-gangs-report-asian-abuse-rotherham-rochdale-newcastle-a8101941.html |access-date=16 December 2020 |website=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> This report was criticised by child sexual exploitation experts Ella Cockbain and Waqas Tufail in a scholarly paper in January 2020.<ref name="CockbainTufail2020">{{cite journal |last1=Cockbain |first1=Ella |last2=Tufail |first2=Waqas |year=2020 |title=Failing victims, fuelling hate: Challenging the harms of the 'Muslim grooming gangs' narrative |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0306396819895727 |journal=Race & Class |volume=61 |issue=3 |pages=3–32 |doi=10.1177/0306396819895727 |s2cid=214197388}}</ref><ref name="Kenan Malik (November 11th, 2018).">Kenan Malik (11 November 2018). ''[https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/11/84-per-cent-of-grooming-gangs-are-asians-we-dont-know-if-that-figure-is-right We're told 84% of grooming gangs are Asian. But where's the evidence?]''. The Guardian. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20201225190032/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/11/84-per-cent-of-grooming-gangs-are-asians-we-dont-know-if-that-figure-is-right Archived Version]''. Retrieved 25 December 2020.</ref> A further investigation was carried out by the British government in December 2020. The [[Home Office]] investigation suggested the majority of child sexual exploitation gangs were, in fact, composed of white men and not British Pakistani men.<ref name="government report2020">{{cite web |date=December 2020 |title=Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation – Characteristics of Offending |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/944206/Group-based_CSE_Paper.pdf |accessdate=20 December 2020 |publisher=Home Office}}</ref><ref name="Grierson">{{cite news |last=Grierson |first=Jamie |date=15 December 2020 |title=Most child sexual abuse gangs made up of white men, Home Office report says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/dec/15/child-sexual-abuse-gangs-white-men-home-office-report |access-date=16 December 2020 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

:"Beyond specific high-profile cases, the academic literature highlights significant limitations to what can be said about links between ethnicity and this form of offending. Research has found that group-based CSE offenders are most commonly White. Some studies suggest an over-representation of Black and Asian offenders relative to the demographics of national populations. However, it is not possible to conclude that this is representative of all group-based CSE offending. This is due to issues such as data quality problems, the way the samples were selected in studies, and the potential for bias and inaccuracies in the way that ethnicity data is collected"; the report also added "Based on the existing evidence, and our understanding of the flaws in the existing data, it seems most likely that the ethnicity of group-based CSE offenders is in line with CSA [child sexual abuse] more generally and with the general population, with the majority of offenders being White".<ref name="government report2020" /><ref name="Grierson" />

Writing in ''[[The Guardian]]'', Cockbain and Tufail wrote of the report that "The two-year study by the Home Office makes very clear that there are no grounds for asserting that Muslim or Pakistani-heritage men are disproportionately engaged in such crimes, and, citing our research, it confirmed the unreliability of the Quilliam claim".<ref name="ecwt">{{cite news |last1=Cockbain |first1=Ella |last2=Tufail |first2=Waqas |date=19 December 2020 |title=A new Home Office report admits grooming gangs are not a 'Muslim problem' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/19/home-office-report-grooming-gangs-not-muslim |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219232051/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/19/home-office-report-grooming-gangs-not-muslim |archive-date=19 December 2020 |access-date=19 December 2020 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> In the foreword to the Report, the Home Secretary [[Priti Patel]] stated that: "Some studies have indicated an over-representation of Asian and Black offenders. However, it is difficult to draw conclusions about the ethnicity of offenders as existing research is limited and data collection is poor. This is disappointing because community and cultural factors are clearly relevant to understanding and tackling offending."<ref name="government report2020" />
A 2020 report by CEOP indicated that in the records of defendants prosecuted for child sexual abuse offences, Asians were actually underrepresented among the child sexual abuse offenders in the country.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 2022 |title=Child sexual abuse in 2020/21: Trends in official data |url=http://www.csacentre.org.uk/documents/child-sexual-abuse-in-2020-21-trends-in-official-data/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020122848/http://www.csacentre.org.uk/documents/child-sexual-abuse-in-2020-21-trends-in-official-data/ |archive-date=20 October 2022 |access-date=1 May 2024}}</ref>

The 2025 Baroness Casey's report noted that the data of the 2020 Home Office report "does not include sufficient ethnicity data to conclude that the majority of offenders are White", which made it "hard to understand how the Home Office reached the conclusion in their paper that the ethnicity of group-based child sexual exploitation offenders is likely to be in line with child sexual abuse more generally and with the general population i.e. "with the majority of offenders being White."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/684ffae201d3b0e7b62da722/National_Audit_on_Group-based_Child_Sexual_Exploitation_and_Abuse.pdf |title=National Audit on Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse |author=Baroness Casey of Blackstock |date=June 2025 |page=79 }}</ref>

==Baroness Casey's National Audit 2025==
{{main|National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse}}
In 2025, [[Louise Casey, Baroness Casey of Blackstock|Baroness Casey]] published findings that despite flaws in data collection, there was enough local data from three police forces – Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire – that showed that disproportionate numbers of Asian men were involved in child sex grooming gangs.<ref name="bbc 16 june 2025"/> On the specific case of Operation Stovewood in Rotherham, the report noted that of the 323 child sex abuse suspects and the 42 individuals convicted, nearly two-thirds were of Pakistani ethnic background.<ref name="casey audit 2025"/>{{rp|85–86}} Nationally, in two-thirds of cases the ethnicity of the perpetrators was not recorded, which made it impossible to draw conclusions at a national level, or to assess the scale of the issue.<ref name="bbc 16 june 2025">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2r2ejlvm1o |title=Key takeaways from grooming gangs report |first=Becky |last=Morton|date=16 June 2025|work=BBC}}</ref><ref name="casey audit 2025">{{cite web |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/684ffae201d3b0e7b62da722/National_Audit_on_Group-based_Child_Sexual_Exploitation_and_Abuse.pdf |title=National Audit on Group-Based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse |author=Baroness Casey of Blackstock |date=June 2025}}</ref> The report found "obfuscation" when examining the ethnicity of offenders, and said that the claims that there is overwhelming problem with White perpetrators "can't be proved", and that "flawed data is used repeatedly to dismiss claims about 'Asian grooming gangs' as sensationalised, biased or untrue".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.sky.com/story/flawed-data-used-repeatedly-to-dismiss-claims-about-asian-grooming-gangs-baroness-casey-finds-13384622 |title=Flawed data used repeatedly to dismiss claims about 'Asian grooming gangs', Baroness Casey finds|first=Jason |last=Farrell|date= 16 June 2025 |work=Sky News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/grooming-gangs-report-latest-news-casey-live-thd659lns |title=Grooming gangs report: Baroness Casey says victims want change |first=Peter |last=Chappell|date=17 June 2025 |work=The Times}}</ref><ref name="casey audit 2025"/> The report said that the ethnicity of perpetrators had been "shied away from";<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clynyyqdnrdo |title=Ethnicity of grooming gangs 'shied away from', Casey report says|first=Anna|last= Lamche|work=BBC News|date=16 June 2025}}</ref> and in an interview, she said that information on race and ethnicity had been covered up, and in one case found the word "Pakistani" had been [[Tipp-Ex|tippexed]] out in a children's file in archive.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/louise-casey-grooming-gangs-cooper-b2771307.html |title=Grooming gangs report author says word 'Pakistani' was 'tippexed out' of a child's file|first=Archie|last= Mitchell|date= 17 June 2025 |work=The Independent}}</ref>

Casey called for a national inquiry having previously rejected the idea. She had changed her mind due to the failure of many local councils to set up their own inquiries and the reluctance of some organisations to talk to her own investigators.<ref name="bbc 16 june 2025"/>

==Statutory inquiry (2026)==
{{See also|Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse#Statutory inquiry}}

The Prime Minister, [[Keir Starmer]], announced two days before the [[National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse|Casey audit]] report was published that there would be a full national statutory inquiry into grooming gangs.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7872pngj2qo |title=PM announces national inquiry into grooming gangs |first1=Chris |last1=Mason |first2= Isabella |last2=Allen |work=BBC|date=14 June 2025 }}</ref> Under the [[Inquiries Act 2005]], the minister who sets up an inquiry must appoint a chairman and set terms of reference by an instrument in writing.

On 9 December 2025, Home Secretary [[Shabana Mahmood]] made a statement to Parliament announcing the [[Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs]], its panel with Baroness [[Anne Longfield, Baroness Longfield|Anne Longfield]] as its chair, and draft terms of reference to be confirmed no later than March 2026.<ref>{{cite hansard |title=Grooming Gangs: Independent Inquiry |jurisdiction=Parliament of the United Kingdom |house=House of Commons |date=9 December 2025 |volume=777 |column=179 |speaker=[[Shabana Mahmood]] |position=[[Home Secretary]] |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025-12-09/debates/292F9375-C8B2-4B56-848A-70D76CF4EFBC/details#contribution-92CF3F1C-D422-4766-8950-4F2CF542A947}}</ref>

== Ethnic, religious and cultural factors ==
The [[#Jay inquiry (2014)|Jay Report (2014)]] estimated there were at least 1,400 victims in Rotherham.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=35}}<ref name="halliday 2018" /> While it did not specify the ethnicity of the victims or the perpetrators, it said: "In a large number of the historic cases in particular, most of the victims in the cases we sampled were white British children, and the majority of the perpetrators were from minority ethnic communities." [[Operation Stovewood]] reported that most victims were white girls and about 80% of perpetrators were males of Pakistani heritage.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=35}}<ref name="halliday 2018">{{cite news |last=Halliday |first=Josh |date=20 February 2018 |title=Number of child sexual abuse victims in Rotherham raised to 1,510 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/20/rotherham-sexual-abuse-victims-rises-to-1510-operation-stovewood |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=Guardian}}</ref><ref name="dearden 2024"/> The Jay Report also described other, less investigated cases in which Asian women and girls were the primary victims,<ref>{{harvnb|Jay|2014|p=94|}}</ref> despite the belief that the victims were only white. Social isolation and fear of dishonour prevented Asian victims from coming forward.<ref>{{harvnb|Jay|2014|p=94}}</ref> The report further said that "there is no simple link between race and child sexual exploitation, and across the UK the greatest numbers of perpetrators of CSE are white men".{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=91,94}} The ethnicity of offenders has also increased community tensions and led to far-right marches and violence in the town. An 81-year-old man was murdered by two white men who called him a "groomer" as they attacked him.<ref name="dearden 2024" />

=== Underreporting due to ethnicity, religion or culture ===
According to the Muslim Women's Network UK, Asian victims may be particularly vulnerable to threats of bringing shame and dishonour to their families, and may have believed that reporting the abuse would be an admission they had violated their cultural beliefs.<ref>{{cite web |last=Topping |first=Alexandra |date=10 September 2013 |title=Abuse of Asian girls missed because of focus on white victims, says report |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/sep/10/abuse-asian-girls-missed-white-victims |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Shabnam Mahmood |date=24 November 2014 |title=Yorkshire Muslim girl speaks of grooming ordeal |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-30152240 |access-date=13 February 2018 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Khaleeli |first=Homa |date=3 September 2014 |title=Rotherham: 'It's sad that it's taken something so horrific to give voice to these girls' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/sep/03/rotherham-you-cant-blame-all-of-us |website=The Guardian}}</ref> One of the local Pakistani women's groups had described Pakistani girls being targeted by Pakistani taxi drivers and landlords, but they feared reporting to the police out of concerns for their marriage prospects.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=95}} The report suggested "the under-reporting of exploitation and abuse in minority ethnic communities" should be addressed.{{sfn|Jay|2014|loc=95}}

In response to claims that social services had failed to act through [[political correctness]], the Jay Report "found no evidence of children's social care staff being influenced by concerns about the ethnic origins of suspected perpetrators when dealing with individual child protection cases, including CSE".{{sfn|Jay|2014|page=91}} In 2021, an investigation by the ''Times'' suggested [[South Yorkshire Police]] was not routinely recording the ethnicity of child sexual abuse suspects. In Rotherham, police omitted suspect ethnicity in 67% of cases. The force said it had increased reporting of ethnicity since 2019.<ref>{{cite news |date=30 December 2021 |title=Rotherham grooming: South Yorkshire Police not recording ethnicity |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-59828338 |access-date=20 April 2023 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

==See also==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom]]
* [[Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse]]
* [[Aylesbury child sex abuse ring]]
* [[Banbury child sex abuse ring]]
* [[Bristol child sex abuse ring]]
* [[Derby child sex abuse ring]]
* [[Halifax child sex abuse ring]]
* [[Huddersfield sex abuse ring]]
* [[Keighley child sex abuse ring]]
* [[Manchester child sex abuse ring]]
* [[Newcastle sex abuse ring]]
* [[North Wales child abuse scandal]]
* [[Oulu child sexual exploitation scandal]]
* [[Oxford child sex abuse ring]]
* [[Peterborough sex abuse case]]
* [[Rochdale child sex abuse ring]]
* [[Telford child sexual exploitation scandal]]
* [[List of sexual abuses perpetrated by groups]]{{div col end}}
{{Portalbar|Yorkshire}}

==Notes==
{{notelist|25em}}

==References==
{{reflist|25em}}

==Works cited==
''The article cites the following books and reports. All other sources are listed in the References section only.''
{{refbegin|25em}}
* {{cite web|first=Iain|last=Boyd|url=https://www.herts.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/100964/msc-dissertation-exam-no-183587.pdf|title=Being Heard: A Thematic Analysis of the Newspaper Media Response to the Jay Report and the Rotherham Child Abuse Scandal|publisher=University of Hertfordshire|date=July 2015|access-date=14 January 2025|archive-date=11 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811182514/https://www.herts.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/100964/msc-dissertation-exam-no-183587.pdf|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite book|first=Pat|last=Cantrill|url=http://www.norfolklscb.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Rotherham-Safeguarding-Children-Board-SCR-Overview-Report.pdf|title=Serious Case Review Overview Report. In respect of: Child S|location=Rotherham|publisher=Rotherham Borough Council|date=April 2011|access-date=5 May 2017|archive-date=11 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811143914/http://www.norfolklscb.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Rotherham-Safeguarding-Children-Board-SCR-Overview-Report.pdf|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite book|author-link=Louise Casey|first=Louise|last=Casey|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/401125/46966_Report_of_Inspection_of_Rotherham_WEB.pdf|title=Report of Inspection of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council|publisher=Department for Communities and Local Government|location=London|date=4 February 2015|isbn=978-1-4741-1507-0}}
* {{cite book|first=John|last=Drew|url=http://www.drewreview.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/SYP030-Final-report.pdf|title=An independent review of South Yorkshire Police's handling of child sexual exploitation 1997–2016|publisher=drewreview.uk|date=23 March 2016}}
* {{cite book|first1=Adele|last1=Gladman|first2=Angie|last2=Heal|title=Child Sexual Exploitation After Rotherham|publisher=Jessica Kingsley Publisher |location=London|date=2017|isbn=978-1-7845-0276-8}}
* {{cite book|first=Angie|last=Heal|url=https://www.lgcplus.com/Journals/2015/05/05/r/b/q/Sexual-Exploitation-Drug-Use-and-Drug-Dealing-the-Current-Situation-in-South-Yorkshire.pdf|title=Sexual Exploitation, Drug Use and Drug Dealing: The Current Situation in South Yorkshire|publisher=Local Government Chronicle|location=London|date=August 2003}}
* {{cite book|first=Angie|last=Heal|url=https://www.lgcplus.com/Journals/2015/05/05/v/c/c/Violence-and-Gun-Crime-Linking-Sexual-Exploitation-Prostitution-and-Drug-Markets-in-South-Yorkshire.pdf|title=A Problem Profile—Violence and Gun Crime: Links with Sexual Exploitation, Prostitution and Drug Markets in South Yorkshire|publisher=Local Government Chronicle|location=London|date=March 2006}}
* {{cite web|last=Heal|first=Angie|url=http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/child-sexual-exploitation-and-the-response-to-localised-grooming-followup/written/12687.pdf|title=Supplementary written evidence submitted by Dr Angie Heal|publisher=House of Commons Home Affairs Committee|location=London|date=9 September 2014}}
* {{cite book|last1=Hester|first1=Marianne|last2=Westmarland|first2=Nicole|title=Tackling Street Prostitution: Towards an holistic approach|year=2004|publisher=Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate|location=London|url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/84894.pdf|isbn=1844733068|access-date=22 April 2017|archive-date=22 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422144102/https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/84894.pdf|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite book|first=Kris|last=Hollington|title=Unthinkable: The Shocking Scandal of the UK Sex Traffickers|publisher=Simon & Schuster|location=London|date=2013|isbn=978-1-47111-455-7}}
* {{cite book|last=Home Affairs Committee (a)|url=https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmhaff/68/68i.pdf|title=Child sexual exploitation and the response to localised grooming. Second Report of Session 2013–14, Vol. 1|publisher=House of Commons, The Stationery Office Limited|location=London|date=10 June 2013}}
* {{cite book|last=Home Affairs Committee (b)|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmhaff/68/68ii.pdf|title=Child sexual exploitation and the response to localised grooming. Second Report of Session 2013–14, Vol. 2|publisher=House of Commons, The Stationery Office Limited|location=London|date=12 June 2013}}
* {{cite book|last=Home Affairs Committee (c)|url=https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmselect/cmhaff/203/203.pdf|title=Child sexual exploitation and the response to localised grooming: follow-up. Sixth Report of Session 2014–15|publisher=House of Commons, The Stationery Office Limited|location=London|date=15 October 2014}}
* {{cite book|author-link=Alexis Jay|first=Alexis|last=Jay|url=https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/downloads/file/279/independent-inquiry-into-child-sexual-exploitation-in-rotherham|title=Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham (1997–2013)|publisher=Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council|location=Rotherham|date=21 August 2014}}
* {{cite book|last=Senior|first=Jayne|author-link=Jayne Senior|title=Broken and Betrayed: The true story of the Rotherham abuse scandal by the woman who fought to expose it|year=2016|publisher=Pan Macmillan|location=London|isbn=9781509801619}}
* {{cite web|last=Weir|first=Adele|url=https://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/home-affairs/Letter%20to%20Police%2023%20October%202001.pdf|title=Letter|publisher=House of Commons, The Stationery Office Ltd|location=London|date=23 October 2001}}
* {{cite web|last=Weir|first=Adele|title=Chapter Four: Key Achievements of the Home Office Pilot|publisher=Home Affairs Committee|date=2002|url=https://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/home-affairs/Chapter%20Four%20of%20final%20report%20Key%20Achievements%20of%20the%20Home%20Office%20Pilot%20(4).pdf|postscript=none|at=(This draft document shows the anonymised evaluation results of Adele Weir's 2000–2002 Home Office pilot study in Rotherham. Risky Business is referred to as the "Project". The reports about other towns in the pilot study were published, but the Rotherham chapter was not. It was first published in 2014 as part of the Jay report and again by the Home Affairs Committee.)}}
* {{cite web|last=Weir|first=Adele|url=http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/home-affairs-committee/child-sexual-exploitation-and-the-response-to-localised-grooming-followup/written/12361.html|title=Summary of evidence to Home Affairs Committee|publisher=House of Commons, The Stationery Office Ltd|location=London|date=15 October 2014}}
* {{cite book|last1=Wilson|first1=Sarah|last2=McKelvie|first2=Geraldine|title=Violated: A Shocking and Harrowing Survival Story from the Notorious Rotherham Abuse Scandal|year=2015|publisher=Harper Element|location=London|isbn=978-00081-4126-4}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
===Home Affairs Committee===
* [https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmhaff/68/68i.pdf ''Child sexual exploitation and the response to localised grooming. Second Report of Session 2013–14, Vol. 1''], House of Commons Home Affairs Committee. London: The Stationery Office Limited, 10 June 2013.
* [https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmhaff/68/68ii.pdf ''Child sexual exploitation and the response to localised grooming. Second Report of Session 2013–14, Vol. 2''], House of Commons Home Affairs Committee. London: The Stationery Office Limited, 12 June 2013.
* [https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmselect/cmhaff/203/203.pdf ''Child sexual exploitation and the response to localised grooming: follow-up. Sixth Report of Session 2014–15''], House of Commons Home Affairs Committee. London: The Stationery Office Limited, 15 October 2014.

===Miscellaneous===
* [https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/revealed-conspiracy-of-silence-on-uk-sex-gangs-gpg5vqsqz9h "Revealed: conspiracy of silence on UK sex gangs"], ''The Times'' (editorial), 5 January 2011.
* {{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-28934963|title=Rotherham child abuse scandal: The background to the report|work=BBC News|date=26 August 2014}}
* {{cite web|last1=Ahmed|first1=Samira|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/aug/27/race-rotherham-abuse-scandal-pakistani-community|title=We shouldn't turn a blind eye to race over the Rotherham abuse scandal |date=27 August 2014|work=The Guardian}}
* Phillip, Abby (27 August 2014). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/world/wp/2014/08/27/report-reveals-the-horrors-of-1400-sexually-abused-children-in-a-british-town-and-the-system-that-failed-them/ "Report reveals the horrors of 1,400 sexually abused children in a new). [http://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/old-contempt-rotherham "An Old Contempt in Rotherham"], ''The New Yorker''.
* Flanagin, Jake (4 September 2014). [https://op-talk.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/09/04/how-rotherham-happened/ "How Rotherham Happened"], ''The New York Times''.
* [[Ross Douthat|Douthat, Ross]] (6 September 2014). [https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/07/opinion/sunday/ross-douthat-rape-and-rotherham.html "Rape and Rotherham"], ''The New York Times''.
* [https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/too-many-in-rotherham-turned-a-blind-eye-to-child-abuse/2014/09/15/5ef76b4a-3489-11e4-9e92-0899b306bbea_story.html "Too many in Rotherham turned a blind eye to child abuse"], ''The Washington Post'' (editorial board), 15 September 2014.
* {{cite web|last1=Coker|first1=Margaret|last2=Flynn|first2=Alexis|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/one-womans-crusade-for-u-k-towns-young-rape-victims-1432324162|title=One Woman's Crusade for U.K. Town's Young Rape Victims|date=22 May 2015|work=The Wall Street Journal}}
* Wilson, Sarah, with Geraldine McKelvie (2015). ''Violated: A Shocking and Harrowing Survival Story from the Notorious Rotherham Abuse Scandal''. London: Harper Element. {{ISBN|978-00081-4126-4}}
* "[https://nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/news/op-stovewood-victims-get-justice-after-another-six-men-guilty-of-sexually-abusing-young-girls-in-rotherham Op Stovewood: Victims get justice after another six men guilty of sexually abusing young girls in Rotherham] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828190119/https://nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/news/op-stovewood-victims-get-justice-after-another-six-men-guilty-of-sexually-abusing-young-girls-in-rotherham |date=28 August 2019 }}" (28 August 2019), [[National Crime Agency]]

{{Child sexual abuse in the UK|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:2000s in South Yorkshire]]
[[Category:2014 in England]]
[[Category:2014 scandals]]
[[Category:Child sexual abuse in England]]
[[Category:Crime in South Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Labour Party (UK) scandals]]
[[Category:History of South Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Pakistani-British gangs]]
[[Category:Police misconduct in England]]
[[Category:Politics of Rotherham]]
[[Category:Gang rape in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Race relations in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Rape in England]]
[[Category:Rape in Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Scandals in England]]
[[Category:Child sex rings in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Child sexual abuse cover-ups]]
[[Category:Torture in England]]
[[Category:Violence against women in England]]
[[Category:Child prostitution in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Incidents of violence against girls]]

User talk:2001:67C:2628:647:31:2404:0:57

2026-07-09T07:49:34Z

WikiDwarf: Notification: AfC submission accepted

Grooming gangs scandal (United Kingdom)

2026-07-09T07:49:32Z

WikiDwarf: Cleaning up accepted Articles for creation submission

{{Short description|Sexual abuse scandal in the United Kingdom}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2026}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2025}}

Several government reviews have reported failures by British institutions in preventing, identifying and prosecuting the widespread cases of [[Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom#Group-based child sexual exploitation|group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation]] that mostly occurred between the 1990s and 2010s.{{sfn|Casey|2025|pp=61, 74}} Allegations of governmental and institutional failures to respond to the problem or to downplay or cover up the issue have been described as a '''grooming gangs scandal'''.<ref>{{harvnb|Hanson|2018}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Wroe|Vaughn|2025}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}</ref>

Media coverage and political discourse around these crimes has especially focused on the ethnic and religious background of perpetrators in high-profile cases, most of whom were [[Muslim]] men of [[British Pakistanis|Pakistani]] descent, and whether this prevented proper investigation.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |date=14 June 2025 |title=Britain's Starmer announces national inquiry into 'grooming gangs' |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britains-starmer-there-will-be-national-inquiry-into-grooming-gangs-2025-06-14/ |access-date=6 July 2025 |work=[[Reuters]] |language=en |ref={{harvid|Reuters|2025}}}}</ref><ref name="GillHarrison2015">{{harvnb|Gill|Harrison|2015|page=36|quote=The British media's construction of a specifically South Asian notion of hegemonic masculinity began long before the recent spate of high-profile cases of child sexual exploitation and grooming. The Ouseley report on the Bradford race riots (Ouseley 2001), and the Cantle Report on the Oldham, Burnley and Bradford riots (Cantle 2001), focused on cultural difference as the primary causal factor for these events, maintaining that British South Asians and white Britons led 'parallel lives'. Media coverage of the riots described angry young men who were alienated from society and their own communities, and had become entangled in a life of crime and violence, a vision that provided the bedrock for the construction of what Claire Alexander calls the 'new Asian folk devil' (2000).}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Cockbain|Tufail|2020}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Tufail|2015}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Meyer|2015}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Shawar|2022}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}</ref> Data in [[Greater Manchester]], [[South Yorkshire]] and [[West Yorkshire]] shows that, in the 2020s, men of an Asian ethnic background are disproportionately represented among perpetrators in those areas.{{sfn|Casey|2025|pp=61, 84|ps=: "Rates of collection and accuracy of ethnicity data were much higher in police data from Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire. Their data shows there has been a disproportionality of group-based child sexual exploitation offending by men of Asian ethnicity in these police force areas." (p. 61) "The percentage of suspects of Asian ethnicity (35%) and White ethnicity (34%) compares with an ethnicity profile for West Yorkshire141 of 16% Asian and 77% White, suggesting a disproportionate over-representation of people of Asian ethnic background (roughly double) and disproportionately under representation of people of White ethnicity (roughly half) amongst child sexual exploitation suspects in West Yorkshire over the period examined." (p. 84)}}

The [[National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse]] ("Casey audit") called for better recording of ethnicity by police forces to prevent misinformation, aid examination of the underlying issues, and restore public trust.{{sfn|Casey|2025|p=4}} In 2025, following the Casey audit's recommendations, the British Government indicated it would fund a national inquiry into the issue of group-based child sexual exploitation, including the role played by the ethnic background of offenders and to what extent there were failings by local authorities in the prevention and policing of such abuse.

The crimes resulted in increased racial and religious tensions in the United Kingdom and the issue has become [[Politicisation|politicised]].<ref>{{harvnb|Cockbain|Tufail|2020}}; {{harvnb|Shawar|2022}};{{pn|date=May 2026}} {{harvnb|Sparrow|2025}}</ref><ref name="police chief" /><ref name=":2" />

==Terminology==
''Group-based child sexual exploitation'' and ''localised grooming'' are terms used to describe the [[Commercial sexual exploitation of children|sexual exploitation]] or ''[[Sexual grooming|grooming]]'' of children and adolescents by groups. Group-based child sexual exploitation was first defined in UK law in the Department for Children, Schools and Families' statutory guidance, ''Safeguarding Children & Young People from Sexual Exploitation. Supplementary guidance to Working Together to Safeguard Children'' in 2009.{{Sfn|Casey|2025|p=24}}

A 2013 report by the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] [[Home Affairs Select Committee]] describes a group first making contact with the child in a public place. After the group's initial contact with the child, offers of treats (takeaway food, cigarettes, drugs) persuade the child to maintain the relationship. Sometimes a boy similar in age presents himself as a "boyfriend"; this person arranges for the child to be raped by other members of the group. Children may end up being raped by dozens of these group members, and may be [[Trafficking of children|trafficked]] to connected groups in other towns.<ref name="HAC2013">{{cite book |author1=Home Affairs Committee |author-link1=Home Affairs Committee |title=Child sexual exploitation and the response to localized grooming. Second Report of Session 2013–14, Vol. 1 |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmhaff/68/68i.pdf |publisher=The Stationery Office Limited |location=London |page=5 |date=10 June 2013 |access-date=7 June 2018 |archive-date=2 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902071706/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmhaff/68/68i.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=ceop />

==Statistics==
According to the [[National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse]] (2025), 28.5% of cases of contact sexual abuse can be described as sexual exploitation (17,000 in 2024), whether by individuals or groups.{{Sfn|Casey|2025}}{{pn|date=May 2026}} The National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse noted that there is a lack of data on group-based offences, with the [[Complex and Organised Child Abuse Dataset]] (COCAD) recording around 700 in 2023 (i.e., 4% of exploitation offences).{{Sfn|Casey|2025|pp=6-7}}

This type of abuse tends to target girls who are particularly vulnerable, such as those who are in local authority care.<ref name="GBCSE">{{cite web |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/944206/Group-based_CSE_Paper.pdf |title=Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation Characteristics of Offending |access-date=12 February 2023 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417072233/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/944206/Group-based_CSE_Paper.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=ceop>{{cite web |url=http://www.ceop.police.uk/Documents/ceopdocs/ceop_thematic_assessment_executive_summary.pdf |website=ceop.police.uk |title=EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CEOP thematic assessment |date=June 2011 |access-date=23 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523010403/http://www.ceop.police.uk/Documents/ceopdocs/ceop_thematic_assessment_executive_summary.pdf |archive-date=23 May 2014 |url-status=dead |quote='' Localized grooming'' is a form of sexual exploitation – previously referred to as 'on street grooming' in the media – where children have been groomed and sexually exploited by an offender, having initially met in a location outside their home. This location is usually in public, such as a park, cinema, on the street or at a friend's house. Offenders often act together, establishing a relationship with a child or children before sexually exploiting them. Some victims of 'street grooming' may believe that the offender is an older 'boyfriend'; these victims introduce their peers to the offender group who might then go on to be sexually exploited as well. Abuse may occur at several locations within a region and on several occasions. 'Localised grooming' was the term used by CEOP in the intelligence requests issued to police forces and other service agencies to define the data we wished to receive.}}</ref> The youngest recorded victim was 12 and the oldest was 18.<ref name="Lee2013">{{cite journal |url=https://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/id/eprint/67529/ |title=Group Localised Grooming: What Is It and What Challenges Does It Pose for Society and Law |last1=Mooney |first1=Jaime-Lee |last2=Ost |first2=Suzanne |journal=Child and Family Law Quarterly |date=2013 |volume=25 |issue=4 |page=425 |access-date=23 September 2023 |archive-date=27 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127054409/https://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/id/eprint/67529/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Jay Report suggested that the number of Asian victims may be underrepresented. According to the Muslim Women's Network UK, Asian victims may be particularly vulnerable to threats of bringing shame and dishonour to their families, and may have believed that reporting the abuse would be an admission they had violated their cultural beliefs. One of the local Pakistani women's groups had described Pakistani girls being targeted by Pakistani taxi drivers and landlords, but they feared reporting to the police out of concerns for their marriage prospects. The report suggested "the under-reporting of exploitation and abuse in minority ethnic communities" should be addressed.<ref name="Topping" />

===Offenders===
In spite of high-profile cases being tied by media and public perception to the [[British Pakistani]] community, there is poor data regarding the background of grooming gang members on a national scale.<ref name="Syal"/><ref name=":6" />

In December 2017, [[Quilliam (think tank)#Grooming gangs|Quilliam]], a think tank associated with anti-[[Islamism|Islamismist]] statements,<ref name="Griffin">{{cite web|title=The problem with the Quilliam Foundation|url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/opendemocracyuk/problem-with-quilliam-foundation/|last=Griffin|first=Tom|date=7 November 2016|access-date=5 October 2021|website=[[openDemocracy]]|language=en}}</ref> released a report that said 84% of offenders involved in grooming gangs were of South Asian heritage.<ref>{{cite news |last=Barnes |first=Tom |date=10 December 2017 |title=British-Pakistani researchers say grooming gangs are 84% Asian |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/quilliam-grooming-gangs-report-asian-abuse-rotherham-rochdale-newcastle-a8101941.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318190323/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/quilliam-grooming-gangs-report-asian-abuse-rotherham-rochdale-newcastle-a8101941.html |archive-date=18 March 2021 |access-date=16 December 2020 |work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> Researchers Ella Cockbain and Waqas Tufail criticised the Quilliam report's conclusions, suggesting it had methodological and scientific flaws.{{sfn|Cockbain|Tufail|2020}}<ref name="Kenan Malik (November 11th, 2018).">{{cite news |last=Malik |first=Kenan |date=11 November 2018 |title=We're told 84% of grooming gangs are Asian. But where's the evidence? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/11/84-per-cent-of-grooming-gangs-are-asians-we-dont-know-if-that-figure-is-right |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225190032/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/11/84-per-cent-of-grooming-gangs-are-asians-we-dont-know-if-that-figure-is-right |archive-date=25 December 2020 |accessdate=18 August 2022 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref name="Colley2019">{{Cite journal |last=Colley |first=Sarah |date=2 September 2019 |title=Perpetrators of organised child sexual exploitation (CSE) in the UK: a review of current research |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/13552600.2019.1673493 |journal=Journal of Sexual Aggression |volume=25 |issue=3 |pages=258–274 |doi=10.1080/13552600.2019.1673493 |issn=1355-2600 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

In December 2020, a report by the [[Home Office]] found limited evidence to draw conclusions about the ethnicity of offenders, citing poor quality and incomplete data. It concluded that the ethnicity of perpetrators likely reflected national demographics for child sexual abuse in general, meaning most perpetrators were likely white, and that there was insufficient evidence to indicate whether there was an overrepresentation of Asian and black offenders. It said that it was unlikely any one community or culture was uniquely predisposed to offending.<ref>{{cite report |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/944206/Group-based_CSE_Paper.pdf |title=Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation Characteristics of Offending |date=December 2020 |publisher=[[Home Office]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260330210409/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/944206/Group-based_CSE_Paper.pdf |archive-date=30 March 2026 |page=27 |quote=While some of the research set out above suggests that there are high numbers of offenders of Asian or Black ethnicities committing group-based CSE offences, it is not possible to say whether these groups are overrepresented in this type of offending [...] Based on the existing evidence, and our understanding of the flaws in the existing data, it seems most likely that the ethnicity of group-based CSE offenders is in line with CSA more generally and with the general population, with the majority of offenders being White.}}</ref><ref name="Grierson" /> In 2021, an investigation by the ''Times'' suggested [[South Yorkshire Police]] was not routinely recording the ethnicity of child sexual abuse suspects. In Rotherham, police omitted suspect ethnicity in 67% of cases. The force said it had increased reporting of ethnicity since 2019.<ref>{{cite news |date=30 December 2021 |title=Rotherham grooming: South Yorkshire Police not recording ethnicity |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-59828338 |access-date=20 April 2023 |work=[[BBC News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122083330/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-59828338 |archive-date=22 January 2025}}</ref>

The 2025 [[Casey audit]] stated that ethnicity data collected for victims and perpetrators of group-based child sexual exploitation was "not sufficient to allow any conclusions to be drawn at the national level", but that "there have been enough convictions across the country of groups of men from Asian ethnic backgrounds to have warranted closer examination".<ref name=":6" /> The audit found that, over a three-year span in "multi-victim/multi-offender cases" in the Greater Manchester area, 52% of offenders were recorded as being of "Asian" ethnicity, with the largest subgroup of those being Pakistani, while 38% were recorded as "White". The report cites the local population as being 21% Asian descent.<ref name="Syal" />

Responding to the reaction to her audit, Casey said the public should "keep calm" over the ethnicity data, confirming that while there was a disproportionate number of Asian offenders for sexual exploitation offences in the Greater Manchester region, child abuse offences overall did not show the same disproportionality.<ref name="Syal">{{Cite news |last=Syal |first=Rajeev |date=17 June 2025 |title=Public must 'keep calm' over ethnicity of grooming gang offenders, says Louise Casey |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jun/17/public-must-keep-calm-over-ethnicity-of-grooming-gang-offenders-says-louise-casey |access-date=14 January 2026 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251031032032/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jun/17/public-must-keep-calm-over-ethnicity-of-grooming-gang-offenders-says-louise-casey |archive-date=31 October 2025}}</ref>

== Background ==
In August 2003, a television documentary reported details of an 18-month police and social services investigation into allegations that young [[British Asian]] men were targeting under-age girls for sex, drugs and prostitution in the West Yorkshire town of [[Keighley]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/society/law_order/Asian+rape+allegations/256893 |title=Asian rape allegations |work=[[Channel 4 News]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620042427/http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/society/law_order/Asian%2Brape%2Ballegations/256893 |archive-date=20 June 2010}}</ref> The [[Leeds]]-based [[Coalition for the Removal of Pimping]] (Crop) sought to bring this behaviour to national attention from at least 2010.<ref name="Independent31 Jan 2010">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/they-like-us-naive-how-teenage-girls-are-groomed-for-a-life-of-prostitution-by-uk-gangs-1880959.html |title=independent.co.uk: "'They like us naive': How teenage girls are groomed for a life of prostitution by UK gangs" 31 Jan 2010 |work=[[The Independent]] |date=31 January 2010 |access-date=25 July 2023 |archive-date=19 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819112456/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/they-like-us-naive-how-teenage-girls-are-groomed-for-a-life-of-prostitution-by-uk-gangs-1880959.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2010, the [[Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal]] saw several convictions of child sexual abusers. In 2012, members of the [[Rochdale child sex abuse ring]] were convicted on various counts, and in 2016, following the largest child sexual exploitation investigation in the UK,<ref>{{cite news |title=Child sexual abuse ring in Halifax: 25 men charged - police reaction |url=https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/crime/child-sexual-abuse-ring-in-halifax-25-men-charged-police-reaction-1-7096362#ixzz42ztRnuvm |access-date=13 February 2018 |work=[[Halifax Courier]] |date=9 February 2015 |quote=police say is the largest child sexual exploitation (CSE) investigation in the country - bigger than high profile cases in Rochdale and Rotherham |archive-date=7 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407095139/https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/crime/child-sexual-abuse-ring-in-halifax-25-men-charged-police-reaction-1-7096362#ixzz42ztRnuvm |url-status=live}}</ref> 18 men in the [[Halifax child sex abuse ring]] case were sentenced to a combined total of over 175 years in prison.<ref>{{cite news |title=Last two men sentenced in Calderdale's biggest child sex abuse case |url=https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/last-two-men-sentenced-in-calderdale-s-biggest-child-sex-abuse-case-1-7982099 |access-date=13 February 2018 |work=[[Halifax Courier]] |date=24 June 2016 |quote=Sentences imposed on the sexual offenders now total more than 175 years and an 18th man convicted only of supplying the girl with cannabis was also jailed for 10 months. |archive-date=15 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615004340/https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/last-two-men-sentenced-in-calderdale-s-biggest-child-sex-abuse-case-1-7982099 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Following further child sex abuse rings in [[Aylesbury child sex abuse ring|Aylesbury]], [[Banbury child sex abuse ring|Banbury]], [[Bristol child sex abuse ring|Bristol]], [[Derby child sex abuse ring|Derby]], [[Huddersfield grooming gang|Huddersfield]], [[Manchester child sex abuse ring|Manchester]], [[Newcastle sex abuse ring|Newcastle]], [[Oxford child sex abuse ring|Oxford]], [[Peterborough sex abuse case|Peterborough]], [[Rochdale child sex abuse ring|Rochdale]], [[Telford child sexual exploitation scandal|Telford]], and others, several investigations considered how prevalent British Asian backgrounds were in localised grooming. In 2011 and 2013, the [[National Crime Agency]]'s Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) branch collected the available data on group-based child sexual abuse from police forces in England and Wales. It reported that, where ethnicity information was available, 28% (2011) and 75% (2013) of offenders had been recorded as "Asian" by the police. The Home Office said the figures should be treated with caution as the data was incomplete and was at particular risk of bias, and recorded ethnicity was based on police assigning offenders to broad categories, rather than on offenders' own self-report.<ref name="Dec 2020 HO report 2013 COEP">{{cite web |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/944206/Group-based_CSE_Paper.pdf |title=Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation Characteristics of Offending {{!}} December 2020 |website=assets.publishing.service.gov.uk |access-date=12 February 2023 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417072233/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/944206/Group-based_CSE_Paper.pdf |url-status=live |quote=Law enforcement data can be particularly vulnerable to bias, in terms of those cases that come to the attention of the authorities [...] This can also lead to greater attention being paid to certain types of offenders, making that data more readily identified and recorded. [...] Police collected data on ethnicity uses broad categories and requires the police to assign an ethnicity rather than it being self-reported by offenders. Data is therefore not always accurate; Berelowitz ''et al.'' (2012) observed cases of offenders being initially classed as 'Asian' but actually coming from other backgrounds, such as White British or Afghan. [...] In 2013 CEOP undertook a second piece of work in this space. Data was requested from all police forces in England and Wales on contact CSA, and responses were received from 31. Of the 52 groups where data provided was useable, half of the groups consisted of all Asian offenders, 11 were all White offenders, 4 were all Black, and 2 were exclusively Arab. There were nine groups where offenders came from a mix of ethnic backgrounds. Looking at the offenders across all groups, of the 306 offenders 75% were Asian. However, as with CEOP (2011) these figures should be treated with caution due to the amount of missing data.}}</ref> In December 2017, the think tank [[Quilliam (think tank)#Grooming gangs|Quilliam]] released a report that said 84% of offenders were of South Asian heritage.<ref>{{cite news |last=Barnes |first=Tom |date=10 December 2017 |title=British-Pakistani researchers say grooming gangs are 84% Asian |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/quilliam-grooming-gangs-report-asian-abuse-rotherham-rochdale-newcastle-a8101941.html |access-date=16 December 2020 |work=[[The Independent]] |archive-date=18 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318190323/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/quilliam-grooming-gangs-report-asian-abuse-rotherham-rochdale-newcastle-a8101941.html |url-status=live}}</ref> This report was criticised by child sexual exploitation experts Ella Cockbain and Waqas Tufail, who said it was unscientific and had poor methodology.{{sfn|Cockbain|Tufail|2020}}<ref name="Kenan Malik (November 11th, 2018)." />

A further investigation was carried out by the Conservative government in December 2020, which concluded that most offenders were probably white, as with most child sexual abuse cases generally, and that there was insufficient data in this area to suggest South Asians, or any other ethnic group, were disproportionately represented among perpetrators.<ref name="Dec 2020 HO report" /> The government originally refused to release the report but eventually did so after public pressure.<ref name="Lizzie Dearden (15 December 2020).">Lizzie Dearden (15 December 2020). ''[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/grooming-gangs-review-race-religion-home-office-b1774161.html Grooming gangs come from 'diverse backgrounds, says Home Office as review finally published]''. [[The Independent]]. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20201215094928/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/grooming-gangs-review-race-religion-home-office-b1774161.html Archived Version]''. Retrieved 10 January 2020.</ref> In response to the report, then Home Secretary [[Priti Patel]] said: "This paper demonstrates how difficult it has been to draw conclusions about the characteristics of offenders."<ref name="Grierson" /> Reviews of the Rotherham, Rochdale, and Telford cases identified several common factors, with offenders often working in night-time industries like takeaways and taxis, providing access to vulnerable children.<ref name="Grierson" />

In 2023, then Prime Minister [[Rishi Sunak]] stated that victims had been failed due to political correctness, and established a taskforce to target this specific issue.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Cockbain |first=Ella |date=4 April 2023 |title=Not even Suella Braverman's own department agrees with her about 'grooming gangs' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/04/suella-braverman-grooming-gangs-child-seual-abuse-home-secretary-prejudice |access-date=10 January 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251003224439/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/04/suella-braverman-grooming-gangs-child-seual-abuse-home-secretary-prejudice |archive-date=3 October 2025}}</ref><ref name="political correctness">{{Cite news |first1=Jemma |last1=Crew |first2=Tom |last2=Symonds |date=3 April 2023 |title=Rishi Sunak criticises political correctness over grooming gangs |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-65160429 |access-date=31 August 2024 |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260221030004/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-65160429 |archive-date=21 February 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=PM to clamp down on Grooming Gangs |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-to-clamp-down-on-grooming-gangs |access-date=10 January 2025 |website=GOV.UK |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260414185522/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-to-clamp-down-on-grooming-gangs |archive-date=14 April 2026}}{{pb}}{{Cite web |title=Grooming Gangs Taskforce arrests hundreds in first year |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grooming-gangs-taskforce-arrests-hundreds-in-first-year |access-date=6 July 2025 |website=GOV.UK |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260429045741/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grooming-gangs-taskforce-arrests-hundreds-in-first-year |archive-date=29 April 2026}}</ref> In 2025, the Labour government commissioned [[Louise Casey, Baroness Casey of Blackstock|Baroness Casey]] to make a detailed audit of these cases, published as the [[National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse]]. In her audit, Baroness Casey wrote: "Assertions that the majority of child sexual abuse offenders are White, even if true, are at best misleading. In a population with over of 80% of people of White ethnicity, it should always be a significant issue when people from a White background are not in the majority of victims or perpetrators of crime"{{Sfn|Casey|2025|p=128}} The review found that there were serious shortcomings in the recording of ethnicity data about perpetrators of group-based sexual abuse.{{Sfn|Casey|2025}}{{pn|date=May 2026}} In one instance, Casey stated finding a case file where the word "Pakistani" had been tippexed out.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Archie |last=Mitchell |date=17 June 2025 |title=Grooming gangs report author says word 'Pakistani' was 'tippexed out' of child's file |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/louise-casey-grooming-gangs-cooper-b2771307.html |access-date=17 November 2025 |work=[[The Independent]] |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260217104630/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/louise-casey-grooming-gangs-cooper-b2771307.html |archive-date=17 February 2026}}</ref> On 14 June 2025, having previously resisted launching an investigation,<ref name=":4" /><ref name="BBC Takeaways 2025">{{Cite news |first=Becky |last=Morton |date=16 June 2025 |title=Key takeaways from grooming gangs report |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2r2ejlvm1o |access-date=6 July 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260416153209/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2r2ejlvm1o |archive-date=16 April 2026}}</ref> Prime Minister [[Keir Starmer]] announced that the British government would launch a full national statutory inquiry into grooming gangs.<ref name="Mason Allen 2025">{{Cite news |first1=Chris |last1=Mason |first2=Isabella |last2=Allen |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7872pngj2qo |title=Sir Keir Starmer announces national inquiry into grooming gangs |date=14 June 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=14 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260129154620/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7872pngj2qo |archive-date=29 January 2026}}</ref><ref name="AJ 14 June 2025">{{cite news |title=UK announces national inquiry into 'grooming gangs' after pressure |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/14/uk-announces-national-inquiry-into-grooming-gangs-after-pressure |access-date=15 June 2025 |work=[[Al Jazeera English]] |date=14 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260312190716/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/14/uk-announces-national-inquiry-into-grooming-gangs-after-pressure |archive-date=12 March 2026}}</ref>

== Investigations and inquiries ==
=== Rotherham grooming gang scandal ===
{{See also|Investigations into the Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal}}In 2013, Rotherham Council commissioned an independent inquiry led by Professor [[Alexis Jay]], former chief social work adviser to the [[Scottish Government]], into abuse that occurred between the city. In August 2014, the Jay Report published its recommendations and concluded that an estimated 1,400 children had been sexually abused in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013. The perpetrators were predominantly British-Pakistani men.<ref>{{cite web |title=Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham (1997–2013) |url=https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/downloads/file/279/independent-inquiry-into-child-sexual-exploitation-in-rotherham |access-date=15 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260412190110/https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/downloads/file/279/independent-inquiry-into-child-sexual-exploitation-in-rotherham |archive-date=12 April 2026}}</ref><ref name="Norfolk24Sept2012">{{cite news |last=Norfolk |first=Andrew |date=24 September 2012 |title=Police files reveal vast child protection scandal |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/police-files-reveal-vast-child-protection-scandal-ffrpdr09vrv |work=[[The Times]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815192214/https://www.thetimes.com/article/police-files-reveal-vast-child-protection-scandal-ffrpdr09vrv |archive-date=15 August 2024}}</ref> The majority of victims were [[white British]] girls, but [[British Asian]] girls in Rotherham were also targeted and received less support or public attention.<ref>{{harvnb|Jay|2014|p=94|ps=: "The UK Muslim Women's Network produced a report on CSE in September 2013 which drew on 35 case studies of women from across the UK who were victims, the majority of whom were Muslim. It highlighted that Asian girls were being sexually exploited where authorities were failing to identify or support them."}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Jay|2014|p=94|ps=: "The Deputy Children's Commissioner's report reached a similar conclusion to the Muslim Women's Network research, stating 'one of these myths was that only white girls are victims of sexual exploitation by Asian or Muslim males, as if these men only abuse outside of their own community, driven by hatred and contempt for white females. This belief flies in the face of evidence that shows that those who violate children are most likely to target those who are closest to them and most easily accessible.' The Home Affairs Select Committee quoted witnesses saying that cases of Asian men grooming Asian girls did not come to light because victims 'are often alienated and ostracised by their own families and by the whole community, if they go public with allegations of abuse.'}}</ref> The failure to address the abuse was attributed to a combination of factors, including fear that the perpetrators' [[ethnicity]] would trigger allegations of [[racism]]; [[sexist]] and [[classist]] attitudes toward the mostly [[working-class]] victims; lack of a child-centred focus; a desire to protect the town's reputation; and lack of training and resources.{{sfn|Jay|2014|pp=69, 101}}{{sfn|Casey|2025|pp=9, 32–36}}<ref name="Pidd13July2015">{{cite news |first=Helen |last=Pidd |date=13 July 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/13/alexis-jay-politicians-rotherham-report-child-sex-abuse-social-worker-claims-westminster-bbc-nhs |title=Alexis Jay on child sex abuse: 'Politicians wanted to keep a lid on it' |work=[[The Guardian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260502053004/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/13/alexis-jay-politicians-rotherham-report-child-sex-abuse-social-worker-claims-westminster-bbc-nhs |archive-date=2 May 2026}}</ref> Several local authority and police staff members resigned after the report was published.<ref name="Wrightresigns">{{cite news |date=16 September 2014 |title=PCC Shaun Wright resigns over Rotherham child abuse scandal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29220535 |work=[[BBC News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260114133942/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29220535 |archive-date=14 January 2026}}</ref> The [[Independent Police Complaints Commission]] and the [[National Crime Agency]] also opened inquiries in response to the report, with the latter expected to last eight years.<ref name="NCA18Dec2014">[http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/news/517-nca-begins-two-stage-investigation-into-child-sexual-exploitation-in-rotherham "NCA begins two-stage investigation into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309045058/http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/news/517-nca-begins-two-stage-investigation-into-child-sexual-exploitation-in-rotherham|date=9 March 2017}}, National Crime Agency, 18 December 2014.{{pb}}[http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/publications/483-operation-stovewood-summary-of-terms-of-reference-1/file "Operation Stovewood—Summary of Terms of Reference"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131083705/http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/publications/483-operation-stovewood-summary-of-terms-of-reference-1/file|date=31 January 2017}}, [[National Crime Agency]].</ref><ref name="Norfolk7June2016">{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Norfolk |date=7 June 2016 |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/rotherham-abuse-inquiry-will-run-for-eight-years-xbmrpmcp9 |title=Rotherham abuse inquiry will run for eight years |work=[[The Times]] |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>

In 2014, the government appointed [[Louise Casey]] to conduct an inspection of Rotherham Council, published in January 2015. The Casey report concluded that the council was "not fit for purpose" and had a culture of bullying, sexism, covering up information and silencing [[whistleblowers]].{{sfn|Casey|2025|pp=6}}{{sfn|Casey|2025|pp=9, 11, 30}} In February 2015 the government replaced the council's elected officers with a team of five commissioners.<ref name="bbc31130750">{{cite news |date=4 February 2015 |title=Government in Rotherham Council takeover after abuse inquiry |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-31130750 |work=[[BBC News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250217155722/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-31130750 |archive-date=17 February 2025}}</ref>

=== 2013 House of Commons Home Affairs Committee Report ===
In June 2013, after a year-long investigation, the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee published ''Child sexual exploitation and the response to localised grooming'' which reviewed evidence from Rochdale, Rotherham, and Oxford.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Home Affairs Committee |author-link1=Home Affairs Committee |title=Child sexual exploitation and the response to localized grooming. Second Report of Session 2013–14, Vol. 1 |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmhaff/68/68i.pdf |publisher=The Stationery Office Limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260402175802/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmhaff/68/68i.pdf |archive-date=2 April 2026 |location=London |page=5 |date=10 June 2013}}</ref> The report concluded that vulnerable children were being left "unprotected by the system", with "an appalling cost" paid by the victims. The report said that failures had occurred across multiple agencies and were still ongoing. It blamed "police, social services and the Crown Prosecution Service", and said local authorities were slow to act due to "a woeful lack of professional curiosity".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sexually exploited children are still being failed - Committees - UK Parliament |url=https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/83/home-affairs-committee/news/181113/130610-grooming-rpt-pubn/ |access-date=8 December 2025 |website=committees.parliament.uk |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260425175956/https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/83/home-affairs-committee/news/181113/130610-grooming-rpt-pubn/ |archive-date=25 April 2026}}</ref>

=== 2020 Home Office report ===
In December 2020, the [[Home Office]] published the report ''Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation: Characteristics of Offending'', co-written by an external-reference group of members of academia, law enforcement, victim advocates and parliament workers. It concluded that most offenders were white, with some studies showing black and Asian offenders proportionally over-represented. It added that a large amount of high-profile cases involved perpetrators of South Asian origin, but that there was a general lack of data to make a definite conclusion for over-representation in all cases of group-based sexual abuse. The report also stated that the external reference group "did not reach consensus around how the evidence should be presented, particularly with regard to cultural and community contexts."<ref name="Dec 2020 HO report">{{cite web |title=Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation Characteristics of Offending {{!}} December 2020 |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/944206/Group-based_CSE_Paper.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417072233/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/944206/Group-based_CSE_Paper.pdf |archive-date=17 April 2021 |access-date=12 February 2023 |website=assets.publishing.service.gov.uk |quote=Beyond specific high-profile cases, the academic literature highlights significant limitations to what can be said about links between ethnicity and this form of offending. Research has found that group-based CSE offenders are most commonly White. Some studies suggest an over-representation of Black and Asian offenders relative to the demographics of national populations. However, it is not possible to conclude that this is representative of all group-based CSE offending. This is due to issues such as data quality problems, the way the samples were selected in studies, and the potential for bias and inaccuracies in the way that ethnicity data is collected ... Based on the existing evidence, and our understanding of the flaws in the existing data, it seems most likely that the ethnicity of group-based CSE offenders is in line with CSA [child sexual abuse] more generally and with the general population, with the majority of offenders being White.}}</ref><ref name="Grierson">{{cite news |last=Grierson |first=Jamie |date=15 December 2020 |title=Most child sexual abuse gangs made up of white men, Home Office report says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/dec/15/child-sexual-abuse-gangs-white-men-home-office-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401080742/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/dec/15/child-sexual-abuse-gangs-white-men-home-office-report |archive-date=1 April 2021 |access-date=16 December 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The British government released the report, originally due two years earlier, after a petition by ''[[The Independent]]'' garnering over 130,000 signatures.<ref name="Lizzie Dearden (15 December 2020)."/>

=== 2025 Casey audit ===
In 2025, after initially ruling out an investigation,<ref name=":4" /><ref name="BBC Takeaways 2025" /> the Labour government commissioned [[Louise Casey, Baroness Casey of Blackstock|Baroness Casey]] to make a detailed audit of these cases, published as the [[National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse]]. The audit found serious shortcomings in the recording of ethnicity data about perpetrators of group-based sexual abuse and recommended improved reporting of ethnicity and nationality for all suspects. The review found that improved data collection by police forces in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire indicated Pakistani men were overrepresented among perpetrators in these areas, but that generally the data was "not good enough to support any statements about the ethnicity of group-based child sexual exploitation offenders at the national level."{{sfn|Casey|2025|pp=61, 74}} Casey suggested the gaps in ethnicity data had led to competing and sometimes misleading claims, including by the media and academics, that had eroded trust in institutions.{{sfn|Casey|2025|pp=121, 126–127}} She said the 2020 Home Office report's conclusion that perpetrators were "mostly White" had been widely cited but that this "does not seem to be evidenced in research or data". She said the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse was the only source to treat the Home Office report with "any balance" when it said "significant limitations" in the data prevented drawing conclusions nationally.{{sfn|Casey|2025}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}

The Casey report also found the role of the night-time economy, particularly out of area taxi licencing, contributed to child sexual exploitation. In the UK taxi licensing is done by local authorities. In areas at risk of child sexual exploitation, such as [[Rotherham]], licensing requirements exceeded national statutory minimums, but this was undermined by drivers acquiring licenses in other areas of the country and then working instead in higher-risk areas.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Cheng-Morris |first1=James |last2=Hockaday |first2=James |date=17 June 2025 |title=Four key takeaways from the grooming gangs report |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/grooming-gangs-national-inquiry-121206298.html |access-date=21 June 2025 |website=[[Yahoo News]] |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250702171439/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/web/20250702171439/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/grooming-gangs-national-inquiry-121206298.html |archive-date=2 July 2025}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Morton |first=Becky |date=16 June 2025 |title=Key takeaways from grooming gangs report |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2r2ejlvm1o |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260208163541/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2r2ejlvm1o |archive-date=8 February 2026}}</ref>

=== <span class="anchor" id="Public inquiry (2026)"></span> 2026 Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs ===

{{Redirect|Independent Inquiry Into Grooming Gangs|other inquiries|Grooming gangs scandal#Investigations and inquiries}}

On 14 June 2025, Prime Minister [[Keir Starmer]] announced that the government would launch a full national statutory inquiry into grooming gangs,<ref name="Mason Allen 2025" /><ref name="AJ 14 June 2025" /> following the recommendations of the Casey audit, which found that the ethnicity of gangs had been "shied away from". Noting that ethnicity data collected for victims and perpetrators of group-based child sexual exploitation was "not sufficient to allow any conclusions to be drawn at the national level", the report said "there have been enough convictions across the country of groups of men from Asian ethnic backgrounds to have warranted closer examination". Casey said there had been institutional "obfuscation" instead of "examination".{{sfn|Casey|2025|p=5}}<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |first1=Sam |last1=Hancock |date=16 June 2025 |title='Collective failure' to address questions about grooming gangs' ethnicity, says Casey report |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c6292x36d4pt |access-date=16 June 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260506150652/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c6292x36d4pt |archive-date=6 May 2026}}</ref> Under the [[Inquiries Act 2005]], the minister who sets up an inquiry must appoint a chairman and set terms of reference by an instrument in writing.

On 9 December 2025, Home Secretary [[Shabana Mahmood]] made a statement to Parliament announcing the ''Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs'', its panel with Baroness [[Anne Longfield]] as its chair, and terms of reference to be confirmed no later than March 2026.<ref>{{cite hansard |title=Grooming Gangs: Independent Inquiry |jurisdiction=Parliament of the United Kingdom |house=House of Commons |date=9 December 2025 |volume=777 |column=179 |speaker=[[Shabana Mahmood]] |position=[[Home Secretary]] |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025-12-09/debates/292F9375-C8B2-4B56-848A-70D76CF4EFBC/details#contribution-92CF3F1C-D422-4766-8950-4F2CF542A947 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260219091349/https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025-12-09/debates/292F9375-C8B2-4B56-848A-70D76CF4EFBC/details#contribution-92CF3F1C-D422-4766-8950-4F2CF542A947 |archive-date=19 February 2026}}</ref> The draft terms were published the same day.<ref>{{cite report |author=[[Home Office]] |date=9 December 2025 |title=Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs: Draft terms of reference |url=https://depositedpapers.parliament.uk/depositedpaper/2287647/files |work=UK Parliament deposited papers |location= |publisher=[[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] |access-date=13 February 2026 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>

== Responses ==
=== Political ===
In 2011, [[Jack Straw]], the former Labour Home Secretary told ''Newsnight'' that while most sex offenders were white there was a "specific problem" of men of Pakistani origin targeting white girls and urged the Pakistani community to be "more open" about the problem. His comments were criticised by criminologist Helen Brayley who said racial stereotyping could lead to only looking for cases where Asians were responsible, and by the MP [[Keith Vaz]] who said he did not think there was evidence of a cultural problem and that it was not possible to stereotype entire communities.<ref>{{cite news |date=8 January 2011 |title=Jack Straw criticised for 'easy meat' comments on abuse |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12142177 |access-date=17 January 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260216024344/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12142177 |archive-date=16 February 2026}}{{pb}}{{cite news |date=8 January 2011 |title=White girls 'easy meat' to Pakistani men, says Straw |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/white-girls-easy-meat-to-pakistani-men-says-straw-2179347.html |access-date=17 January 2025 |work=[[The Independent]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250628003052/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/white-girls-easy-meat-to-pakistani-men-says-straw-2179347.html |archive-date=28 June 2025}}</ref> Subsequently throughout the 2010s, [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] and [[Reform UK]] politicians, such as Rishi Sunak have reasserted that race was a factor in grooming gangs{{sfn|Cockbain|Tufail|2020}}<ref name="Guardian2023" /> and that concerns were not dealt with because of [[political correctness]].<ref name="political correctness" /><ref name="BBC2023" /><ref name="grooming gang posts" />

In 2013, Professor [[Alexis Jay]], a retired social worker, led the [[Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham]] (or ''Jay Report''),{{sfn|Jay|2014}} which said that such cases were not overlooked because of political correctness, and "found no evidence of children's social care staff being influenced by concerns about the ethnic origins of suspected perpetrators when dealing with individual child protection cases, including CSE".<ref name="Topping">{{cite news |last=Topping |first=Alexandra |date=10 September 2013 |title=Abuse of Asian girls missed because of focus on white victims, says report |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/sep/10/abuse-asian-girls-missed-white-victims |work=[[The Guardian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260113225821/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/sep/10/abuse-asian-girls-missed-white-victims |archive-date=13 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mahmood |first1=Shabnam |date=24 November 2014 |title=Yorkshire Muslim girl speaks of grooming ordeal |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-30152240 |access-date=13 February 2018 |work=[[BBC News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260112022009/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-30152240 |archive-date=12 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Khaleeli |first=Homa |date=3 September 2014 |title=Rotherham: 'It's sad that it's taken something so horrific to give voice to these girls' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/sep/03/rotherham-you-cant-blame-all-of-us |work=[[The Guardian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250721022232/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/sep/03/rotherham-you-cant-blame-all-of-us |archive-date=21 July 2025}}</ref> In 2015, Jay attributed the authorities' inaction to "their desire to accommodate a community that would be expected to vote Labour, to not rock the boat, to keep a lid on it, to hope it would go away".<ref>{{cite news |first=Helen |last=Pidd |title=Alexis Jay on child sex abuse: 'Politicians wanted to keep a lid on it' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/13/alexis-jay-politicians-rotherham-report-child-sex-abuse-social-worker-claims-westminster-bbc-nhs |date=13 July 2015 |work=[[The Guardian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260502053004/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/13/alexis-jay-politicians-rotherham-report-child-sex-abuse-social-worker-claims-westminster-bbc-nhs |archive-date=2 May 2026}}</ref>

After a 2017 case in Newcastle, former Conservative policing and justice minister [[Mike Penning]] urged Attorney General [[Jeremy Wright]] to consider the offences against "young white girls" as racially motivated.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Martin |last2=Swinford |first2=Steven |date=11 August 2017 |title='Racist' Asian sex gangs: MPs demand tougher sentences for grooming young white girls |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/08/10/calls-asian-grooming-gangs-treated-racially-aggravated-criminals/ |access-date=5 January 2025 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207193106/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/08/10/calls-asian-grooming-gangs-treated-racially-aggravated-criminals/ |archive-date=7 December 2018}}</ref> The judge presiding over the case in question later ruled that the girls were not targeted for their race.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dearden |first=Lizzie |date=5 September 2017 |title=Newcastle grooming gang 'did not target white girls because of their race', judge rules |url=https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/crime/newcastle-grooming-gang-asian-white-girls-not-targeted-race-judge-court-sentencing-rape-sexual-exploitation-a7931276.html |access-date=6 January 2025 |work=[[The Independent]] |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250917054227/https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/crime/newcastle-grooming-gang-asian-white-girls-not-targeted-race-judge-court-sentencing-rape-sexual-exploitation-a7931276.html |archive-date=17 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Halliday |first=Josh |date=5 September 2017 |title=Newcastle grooming gang members jailed for up to 29 years |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/sep/05/newcastle-grooming-gang-members-jailed-up-to-29-years |access-date=6 January 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251214015345/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/sep/05/newcastle-grooming-gang-members-jailed-up-to-29-years |archive-date=14 December 2025}}</ref>

In 2017, the Labour [[Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities]] and MP for Rotherham [[Sarah Champion]] wrote in ''The Sun'' that "Britain has a problem with British Pakistani men raping and exploiting white girls". Champion's remarks came after the prosecution and conviction of 17 men from the [[Newcastle sex abuse ring]], who were from Iraqi, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Indian, Iranian and Turkish communities, for forcing underage girls to have sex. Champion said that a fear of being called racist was hampering police investigations. Following criticism, including from fellow Labour MP [[Naz Shah]], the [[Muslim Council of Britain]], and the [[Board of Deputies of British Jews]], Champion apologised for the article and resigned as Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 August 2017 |title=Sarah Champion quits Labour front bench over rape article |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-40952224 |access-date=14 June 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251212224320/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-40952224 |archive-date=12 December 2025}}</ref>{{sfn|Bhattacharyya|Elliott-Cooper|Balani|Nişancıoğlu|2021|p=114}} Following her resignation, Champion accused the left of failing to speak out on grooming gangs for fear of being branded racist.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 September 2017 |title=Sarah Champion: Labour's 'floppy left' falls silent when issues touch on race |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/sep/02/sarah-champion-labours-floppy-left-falls-silent-when-issues-touch-on-race |access-date=14 June 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250815024634/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/sep/02/sarah-champion-labours-floppy-left-falls-silent-when-issues-touch-on-race |archive-date=15 August 2025}}</ref>

In 2023, then Home Secretary [[Suella Braverman]] said in an opinion piece that "grooming gang" members in the United Kingdom were "almost all British-Pakistani" and held "cultural attitudes completely incompatible with British values". In response, the [[Independent Press Standards Organisation]] issued a correction stating that Braverman's article was "misleading", since it did not make it explicit that she was talking about the Rotherham, Rochdale and Telford child sexual abuse scandals in particular.<ref name="BBC2023">{{Cite news |last=Geiger |first=Chas |date=29 September 2023 |title=Suella Braverman UK-Pakistani grooming claim misleading, says press regulator |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-66960890 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260204070232/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-66960890 |archive-date=4 February 2026}}</ref> Many experts and organisations called on her to withdraw her comments, saying she was amplifying far-right ideologies and making it harder to address the issue.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Peter |date=3 April 2023 |title=No 10 denies using dog-whistle politics in grooming gangs crackdown |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/apr/03/no-10-denies-using-dog-whistle-politics-in-grooming-gangs-crackdown-rishi-sunak |access-date=10 January 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260306210714/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/apr/03/no-10-denies-using-dog-whistle-politics-in-grooming-gangs-crackdown-rishi-sunak |archive-date=6 March 2026}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name="Sky20232" /> The [[NSPCC|National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)]] said that by focusing primarily on South Asian men, Braverman was fuelling "misinformation, racism and division".<ref name="Sky20232">{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Faye |date=20 April 2023 |title=Suella Braverman describes grooming gang comments as 'unfashionable facts' after backlash |url=https://news.sky.com/story/suella-braverman-describes-grooming-gang-comments-as-unfashionable-facts-after-backlash-12861676 |access-date=31 August 2024 |work=[[Sky News]] |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250918210425/https://news.sky.com/story/suella-braverman-describes-grooming-gang-comments-as-unfashionable-facts-after-backlash-12861676 |archive-date=18 September 2025}}</ref><ref name="Guardian2023">{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Peter |date=25 May 2023 |title='Inaccurate' grooming gang claims putting children at risk, Sunak and Braverman told |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/may/25/inaccurate-grooming-gang-claims-putting-children-at-risk-sunak-and-braverman-told |access-date=31 August 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250730234719/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/may/25/inaccurate-grooming-gang-claims-putting-children-at-risk-sunak-and-braverman-told |archive-date=30 July 2025}}</ref> The charity said that "a singular focus on groups of male abusers of British-Pakistani origin draws attention away from so many other sources of harm".<ref name="Guardian2023" /><ref name=":1" /> Sabah Kaiser, [[ethnic minority]] ambassador for the Jay Report, said it was "very, very dangerous for the government to turn child sexual abuse into a matter of colour".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Peter |date=3 April 2023 |title=NSPCC warns against framing grooming gangs problem as ethnicity-based |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/apr/03/nspcc-warns-against-framing-grooming-gangs-problem-as-ethnicity-based |access-date=10 January 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260329094631/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/apr/03/nspcc-warns-against-framing-grooming-gangs-problem-as-ethnicity-based |archive-date=29 March 2026}}</ref>

In 2024, Jay said she was "frustrated" that the government had still not taken action two years after her report was published.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |first1=Laura |last1=Kuenssberg |author1-link=Laura Kuenssberg |first2=Mallory |last2=Moench |date=5 January 2025 |title=Nigel Farage defends Elon Musk over grooming gangs posts |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd9x3d4v7jdo |access-date=8 January 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250903030308/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd9x3d4v7jdo |archive-date=3 September 2025}}</ref>

In 2025, former Home Office minister [[Robert Jenrick]] said group-based child sexual exploitation was "perhaps the greatest racially motivated crime in modern Britain",<ref name="Jenrick grooming gangs">{{cite news |first=Robert |last=Jenrick |date=3 January 2025 |title=The truth about 'grooming gangs' is finally coming out |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/02/truth-about-grooming-gangs-finally-coming-out-abuse-uk/ |access-date=3 January 2025 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250312153332/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/02/truth-about-grooming-gangs-finally-coming-out-abuse-uk/ |archive-date=12 March 2025}}</ref> and said the British state had covered it up to protect community relations.<ref name="grooming gang posts">{{cite news |last1=Kuenssberg |first1=Laura |author1-link=Laura Kuenssberg |last2=Moench |first2=Mallory |date=5 January 2025 |title=Farage defends Musk after grooming gangs posts |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd9x3d4v7jdo |access-date=5 January 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260113150650/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd9x3d4v7jdo |archive-date=13 January 2026}}</ref> Journalist [[Nick Robinson (journalist)|Nick Robinson]] said Jenrick had not raised the issue when he was a Home Office minister.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/robert-jenrick-nick-robinson-bbc-grooming-gangs-clash-b2675062.html |title=Listen: Robert Jenrick clashes with BBC's Nick Robinson over grooming gang row |date=7 January 2025 |language=en |access-date=9 January 2025 |via=[[The Independent]] |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> [[Simon Danczuk]] MP also claimed a Labour Party chairman had told him not to draw attention to the ethnicity of the gangs in his Rochdale constituency in case it affected the party's electoral chances.<ref name="Hymas 2025">{{Cite news |last=Hymas |first=Charles |date=10 January 2025 |title=Pakistanis up to four times more likely to be behind grooming |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/10/pakistanis-four-times-more-likely-grooming/ |access-date=10 April 2025 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> Labour MP [[Nadia Whittome]] said the Conservatives and Reform were "weaponising the trauma of victims" for their own game. Prime Minister [[Keir Starmer]] said the Conservatives were "playing politics with the safety of vulnerable children" by using the issue to fundraise for the party.{{sfn|Sparrow|2025}}
==== 2026 Lowe report ====

On 16 June 2026, [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]] for [[Great Yarmouth (UK Parliament constituency)|Great Yarmouth]] and leader of [[Restore Britain]], [[Rupert Lowe]] published ''The Rape Gang Inquiry Report'' on [[X (social network)|X]]. Headed by [[Sammy Woodhouse]], a child sexual abuse activist, the report primarily investigates child sexual abuse beginning from the 1950's onwards. Citing [[Malcolm Pearson, Baron Pearson of Rannoch]] in a 2019 [[House of Lords]] debate, it claims that at least 250,000 white girls were subjected to "repeated rape, gang rape, trafficking, torture, pregnancy, forced Islamic conversion and lifelong trauma", while acknowledging imprecision over the figure, claiming this is because the numbers were not recorded. The report does not support their figure with original data, but draws on extant material, including advocacy material.{{R|Kaul 2026}} This figure has however been criticized as being wildly inaccurate and misleading.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Raymond |first1=Shane |title=Debunked: Estimate of 250,000 victims of UK ‘grooming gangs’ is based on bad stats |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/250000-victims-of-grooming-gangs-in-the-uk-lord-pearson-of-rannoch-statistics-elon-musk-6596961-Jan2025/ |work=TheJournal.ie |date=21 January 2025 |language=en}}</ref> It also accuses that the police, social services, schools, the [[National Health Service]], licensing authorities, and governments allowed the gangs to operate unharmed.<ref name="Kaul 2026">{{Cite web |last=Kaul |first=Vitasta |date=June 17, 2026 |title=What UK MP Rupert Lowe’s grooming gangs report says about immigration, child abuse, and Islam |url=https://theprint.in/feature/uk-rupert-lowes-grooming-gangs-report-immigration-child-abuse-islam/2962647/ |access-date=June 17, 2026 |website=The Print}}</ref>

=== Media ===
A number of writers and scholars<ref>{{harvnb|Miah|2015|pp=54–66}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Tufail|Poynting|2016}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Quraishi|2016}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Cockbain|2013|pp=22–32|ps=: "The British media's construction of a specifically South Asian notion of hegemonic masculinity began long before the recent spate of high-profile cases of child sexual exploitation and grooming. The Ouseley report on the Bradford race riots (Ouseley 2001), and the Cantle Report on the Oldham, Burnley and Bradford riots (Cantle 2001), focused on cultural difference as the primary causal factor for these events, maintaining that British South Asians and white Britons led 'parallel lives'. Media coverage of the riots described angry young men who were alienated from society and their own communities, and had become entangled in a life of crime and violence, a vision that provided the bedrock for the construction of what Claire Alexander calls the 'new Asian folk devil' (2000)."}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Gill|Harrison|2015}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}</ref> have accused politicians and the media of creating a [[moral panic]] over the issue and fostering [[Islamophobia]].<ref>{{harvnb|Cockbain|Tufail|2020}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Tufail|2015}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Meyer|2015}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Gill|Day|2020}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}</ref>

British media outlets such as ''[[The Times]]'', ''[[MailOnline]]'', ''[[The Guardian]]'' and ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' have especially focussed on the ethnicity of the perpetrators in their reporting of such cases.<ref name="GillHarrison2015" /><ref name="scapegoating">Gill, Aisha K. "Child sexual exploitation and scapegoating minority communities." In ''The Routledge Companion to Gender, Media and Violence'', pp. 105-115. Routledge, 2023.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Cockbain|Tufail|2020}}{{pb}}{{Cite web |last=Kanter |first=Jake |date=8 January 2025 |title=How Elon Musk's Intense Interest In A UK Grooming Gang Scandal Is Being Driven By Disruptive Right-Wing Network GB News |url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/elon-musk-uk-grooming-gang-scandal-driven-by-gb-news-1236250381/ |access-date=9 January 2025 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |quote=Peters’ reporting has been amplified by colleagues who embellish GB News’ output with outraged monologues. Presenters like Patrick Christys have consistently leaned into the racial dimension of the story, accusing the government of failing to act amid fears of offending the 'Muslim community.' And it has worked — coverage has resonated. 'Every time this story is connected to British-Pakistanis, ratings and traffic go up,' says someone familiar with GB News’ internal audience data.}}</ref> This has led to increased public awareness and politicisation of the issue.{{sfn|Cockbain|Tufail|2020}}{{sfn|Shawar|2022}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}

Rochdale police chief Ian Hopkins stated that ''The Times''<nowiki/>' sensationalist news reporting around the [[Rochdale child sex abuse ring]] scandal had increased communal tensions.<ref name="police chief">{{Cite news |last1=Jenkins |first1=Lin |last2=Parveen |first2=Nazia |date=21 June 2016 |title=Rochdale: police chief 'appalled' by Times 'sex grooming town' report after imam's murder |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/feb/20/times-apologise-rochdale-sex-grooming-town-murder-imam |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dodd |first=Vikram |date=8 December 2023 |title=Police still victim blaming in grooming gang cases, watchdog finds |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/dec/08/police-still-victim-blaming-child-grooming-gang-cases-watchdog-finds-inspection-england-and-wales |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url= |archive-date= |quote=Any public perception that those responsible are predominantly from the Pakistani or south Asian community may be influenced by national media coverage of some of the cases ... Furthermore, we didn’t find that this public perception was supported by the 27 group-based child sexual exploitation investigations we examined during the inspection.}}</ref> Rebecca Riggs, the lead on child protection and abuse investigations at the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), said the media focus on Pakistani men could leave other victims "feeling that their type of crime isn't a priority".<ref name="Hymas 2025" />

Researchers in the social sciences—such as Shamim Miah, Tufail Waqas, Muzammil Quraishi, Aisha K. Gill, Karen Harrison,<ref name="GillHarrison2015" />{{pn|date=May 2026}} Aviah Sarah Day,{{sfn|Gill|Day|2020}}{{pn|date=May 2026}} and others<ref>{{harvnb|Tufail|Poynting|2016}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Quraishi|2016}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Miah|2015}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Shawar|2022}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}</ref>—have criticised the focus on race, religion and ethnicity by politicians and the media, describing the public discourse as a [[moral panic]] fuelled by sensationalist news reporting. They say this has portrayed Muslim and South Asian men as [[folk devil]]s.<ref>{{harvnb|Gill|Day|2020}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}{{pb}}{{Cite news |date=6 January 2025 |title=PM attacks those 'spreading lies' on grooming gangs as he hits back at Musk |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c75wp53vk1lo |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref><ref name="GillHarrison2015" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dodd |first=Vikram |date=8 December 2023 |title=Police still victim blaming in grooming gang cases, watchdog finds |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/dec/08/police-still-victim-blaming-child-grooming-gang-cases-watchdog-finds-inspection-england-and-wales |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url= |archive-date= |quote=Any public perception that those responsible are predominantly from the Pakistani or south Asian community may be influenced by national media coverage of some of the cases ... Furthermore, we didn’t find that this public perception was supported by the 27 group-based child sexual exploitation investigations we examined during the inspection.}}</ref>

Community groups like the Muslim Women's network and the [[Muslim Council of Britain]], argue that sensational media reporting is responsible for increasing [[Islamophobia in the United Kingdom|Islamophobia]].<ref name="Sky20232" /><ref name="Guardian2023" /> According to [[Miqdaad Versi]], director for media monitoring at the Muslim Council of Britain, the media does this by "conflating the faith of Islam with criminality, such as the headlines 'Muslim sex grooming'".<ref name="Versi">{{Cite news |last=Versi |first=Miqdaad |date=4 April 2016 |title=Why the British media is responsible for the rise in Islamophobia in Britain |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/why-the-british-media-is-responsible-for-the-rise-in-islamophobia-in-britain-a6967546.html |access-date=3 September 2024 |work=[[The Independent]] |language=en |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> Right-wing figures, particularly [[Elon Musk]] in early 2025, have also been criticised of over-amplifying the issue in social media, with Musk describing safeguarding minister [[Jess Phillips]] as a "rape genocide apologist" over the issue.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Kanter |first=Jake |date=8 January 2025 |title=How Elon Musk's intense interest in a UK grooming gangs scandal is being driven by disruptive right-wing network GB News |url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/elon-musk-uk-grooming-gang-scandal-driven-by-gb-news-1236250381/ |access-date=9 January 2025 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-url= |archive-date= |quote=Peters' reporting has been amplified by colleagues who embellish GB News' output with outraged monologues. Presenters like Patrick Christys have consistently leaned into the racial dimension of the story, accusing the government of failing to act amid fears of offending the 'Muslim community.' And it has worked — coverage has resonated. 'Every time this story is connected to British-Pakistanis, ratings and traffic go up,' says someone familiar with GB News' internal audience data.}}</ref>

Ella Cockbain, an associate professor in security and crime science at [[University College London]],<ref name=":0" /> suggests that "sweeping, ill-founded generalisations" in the discourse around group-based child sexual exploitation serves to "further a political agendum and legitimise thinly veiled racism, ultimately doing victims a disservice".{{sfn|Cockbain|2013}}{{pn|date=May 2026}} Cockbain writes that the concept of "grooming gangs" is ill-defined, defined based on unrepresentative samples to create a false narrative that Pakistani men are more likely to engage in child sexual abuse.<ref name="Colley2019" /><ref>{{harvnb|Cockbain|2013}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Cockbain|Tufail|2020}}</ref>

Public health and international studies scholars Yusra Ribhi Shawar, Phong Phu Truong and Jeremy Shiffman said that "the race element of the narrative" was amplified mainly by right-wing media, and sometimes individuals on the left, to "capitalize on wider anti-Muslim and xenophobic attitudes". They said that although this was "unhelpful", it had increased public awareness of the issue and led to increased government action on child abuse.{{sfn|Shawar|2022}}{{pn|date=May 2026}} Sociologists Gargi Bhattacharyya et al. state that the far-right has benefited from the politicisation of the issue, leading to a resurgence for far right groups. They suggest that the focus on race and ethnicity has also been at the expense of a deeper examination of other contributing factors, such as state neglect.{{sfn|Bhattacharyya|Elliott-Cooper|Balani|Nişancıoğlu|2021|pp=114, 118|ps=: "...it gave the far-right an opportunity to position itself as the only voice willing to 'speak the truth' on behalf of the victims, providing the space for legitimisation and support; and it enabled the far-right to position itself as the primary anti-state/anti-elite force, creating a sense of 'emergency' and need for 'intervention' at the state level. Importantly, this racialising set of processes also meant that the interaction between patriarchal violence and state neglect, which led to so many young people being harmed, was minimised and obscured."}}

In 2013, [[BBC]] ''Inside Out London'' investigated allegations made by members of the [[Sikhism in the United Kingdom|Sikh community]] that British Sikh girls living inside Britain were being targeted by men who pretended to be Sikhs.<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite news |title=British Sikh girls exposed to sexual grooming |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-23632247 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011043746/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23632247 |archive-date=11 October 2016 |access-date=25 July 2023 |work=[[BBC News]] }}</ref> An investigation by the Sociology Lecturer Katy P Sian <ref>https://www.york.ac.uk/sociology/people/katysian/</ref> of the [[University of York]] claimed that this was ' problematic politics' and found that the people making the accusation 'have seemingly little to say on Weinstein'.<ref>Katy Sian (17 October 2017). ''[https://ceasefiremagazine.co.uk/patriarchy-islamophobia-misogyny-challenging-politics-sikh-youth-uk/ Patriarchy, Islamophobia and Misogyny: On challenging the politics of Sikh Youth UK] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015100334/https://ceasefiremagazine.co.uk/patriarchy-islamophobia-misogyny-challenging-politics-sikh-youth-uk/|date=15 October 2023}}''. Ceasefire Magazine. Retrieved 14 March 2020.</ref><ref name="Forced">{{cite journal |last=Sian |first=Katy P. |date=6 July 2011 |title='Forced' conversions in the British Sikh diaspora |url=https://pure.manchester.ac.uk/ws/files/22953295/POST-PEER-REVIEW-PUBLISHERS.PDF |url-status=live |journal=South Asian Popular Culture |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=115–130 |doi=10.1080/14746681003798060 |s2cid=54174845 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711063451/https://pure.manchester.ac.uk/ws/files/22953295/POST-PEER-REVIEW-PUBLISHERS.PDF |archive-date=11 July 2022 |access-date=25 July 2023}}</ref> Further reports compiled by the blogger Sunny Hundal and Professor of religion further claimed 'there is a need for more research
on the issue of sexual grooming' but that "One in 7 Sikh women knew someone who had been targeted by grooming gangs".<ref name="Jagbir Jhutti-Johal; Sunny Hundal (August 2019)p15">Jagbir Jhutti-Johal; Sunny Hundal (August 2019). ''[https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/841033/the-changing-nature-of-activism-among-sikhs-in-the-uk-today-221019.pdf The changing nature of activism among Sikhs in the UK today]''. The Commission For Countering Extremism. University of Birmingham. p. 14. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20200217022921/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/841033/the-changing-nature-of-activism-among-sikhs-in-the-uk-today-221019.pdf WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved 17 February 2020.</ref>{{sfn|Cockbain|Tufail|2020}}

In April 2025, Channel 4 broadcast ''Groomed: A National Scandal'', a documentary which revisited the theme of director Anna Hall's 2004 film ''[[Edge of the City (2004 film)|Edge of the City]]'' and centred on the stories of survivors of sexual abuse and the shortcomings of local councils in addressing the issue.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2jYOOFZ4n |title=Groomed: A National Scandal |date=29 April 2025 |last=Hall |first=Anna |medium=Documentary |publisher=[[Channel 4]] |access-date=14 May 2025 |quote=A 2025 Channel 4 documentary highlighting survivor testimonies and institutional failures in addressing grooming gangs in the UK.}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Rape culture]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Sources===

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* {{Cite book |last1=Tufail |first1=Waqas |last2=Poynting |first2=Scott |chapter=Muslim and dangerous: 'Grooming' and the politics of racialisation |title=Fear of Muslims? International Perspectives on Islamophobia |year=2016 |pages=79–92}}
* {{cite book |last=Tufail |first=Waqas |title=The Routledge International Handbook of Islamophobia |chapter=The racialised and Islamophobic framing of the Rotherham and Rochdale child sexual abuse scandals |year=2019 |pages=147–160 |url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781351135559-13/racialised-islamophobic-framing-rotherham-rochdale-child-sexual-abuse-scandals-waqas-tufail |publisher=[[Routledge]] |doi=10.4324/9781351135559-13 |isbn=978-1-351-13555-9}}

* {{cite report |title=Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation Characteristics of Offending {{!}} December 2020 |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/944206/Group-based_CSE_Paper.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417072233/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/944206/Group-based_CSE_Paper.pdf |archive-date=17 April 2021 |location=London |publisher=UK Government |access-date=14 October 2025 |ref={{harvid|UK Government Report|2020}} }}

* {{cite journal |last1=Wroe |first1=Lauren Elizabeth |last2=Vaughn |first2=Leona |title=Race, class and the weaponisation of child safety |type=editorial |journal=Critical and Radical Social Work |date=April 2025 |volume=13 |issue=2 |pages=148–154 |doi=10.1332/20498608Y2025D000000074 |doi-access=free}}


==External links==
* [https://www.grooming-gangs.independent-inquiry.uk/ Statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs] ([https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/independent-inquiry-into-grooming-gangs collection]) from the [[Home Office]]

{{Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom}}
{{Keir Starmer}}

[[Category:2017 scandals]]
[[Category:2017 in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:British Pakistani history]]
[[Category:Child sexual abuse cover-ups]]
[[Category:Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Race-related controversies in the United Kingdom]]

Draft:Grooming gangs scandal (United Kingdom)

2026-07-09T07:49:32Z

WikiDwarf: WikiDwarf moved page Draft:Grooming gangs scandal (United Kingdom) to Grooming gangs scandal (United Kingdom): Publishing accepted Articles for creation submission

#REDIRECT [[Grooming gangs scandal (United Kingdom)]]

Grooming gangs scandal (United Kingdom)

2026-07-09T07:49:30Z

WikiDwarf: WikiDwarf moved page Draft:Grooming gangs scandal (United Kingdom) to Grooming gangs scandal (United Kingdom): Publishing accepted Articles for creation submission

{{AfC submission|||ts=20260709073109|u=|ns=118}} 
{{Short description|Sexual abuse scandal in the United Kingdom}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2026}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2025}}

Several government reviews have reported failures by British institutions in preventing, identifying and prosecuting the widespread cases of [[Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom#Group-based child sexual exploitation|group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation]] that mostly occurred between the 1990s and 2010s.{{sfn|Casey|2025|pp=61, 74}} Allegations of governmental and institutional failures to respond to the problem or to downplay or cover up the issue have been described as a '''grooming gangs scandal'''.<ref>{{harvnb|Hanson|2018}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Wroe|Vaughn|2025}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}</ref>

Media coverage and political discourse around these crimes has especially focused on the ethnic and religious background of perpetrators in high-profile cases, most of whom were [[Muslim]] men of [[British Pakistanis|Pakistani]] descent, and whether this prevented proper investigation.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |date=14 June 2025 |title=Britain's Starmer announces national inquiry into 'grooming gangs' |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britains-starmer-there-will-be-national-inquiry-into-grooming-gangs-2025-06-14/ |access-date=6 July 2025 |work=[[Reuters]] |language=en |ref={{harvid|Reuters|2025}}}}</ref><ref name="GillHarrison2015">{{harvnb|Gill|Harrison|2015|page=36|quote=The British media's construction of a specifically South Asian notion of hegemonic masculinity began long before the recent spate of high-profile cases of child sexual exploitation and grooming. The Ouseley report on the Bradford race riots (Ouseley 2001), and the Cantle Report on the Oldham, Burnley and Bradford riots (Cantle 2001), focused on cultural difference as the primary causal factor for these events, maintaining that British South Asians and white Britons led 'parallel lives'. Media coverage of the riots described angry young men who were alienated from society and their own communities, and had become entangled in a life of crime and violence, a vision that provided the bedrock for the construction of what Claire Alexander calls the 'new Asian folk devil' (2000).}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Cockbain|Tufail|2020}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Tufail|2015}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Meyer|2015}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Shawar|2022}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}</ref> Data in [[Greater Manchester]], [[South Yorkshire]] and [[West Yorkshire]] shows that, in the 2020s, men of an Asian ethnic background are disproportionately represented among perpetrators in those areas.{{sfn|Casey|2025|pp=61, 84|ps=: "Rates of collection and accuracy of ethnicity data were much higher in police data from Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire. Their data shows there has been a disproportionality of group-based child sexual exploitation offending by men of Asian ethnicity in these police force areas." (p. 61) "The percentage of suspects of Asian ethnicity (35%) and White ethnicity (34%) compares with an ethnicity profile for West Yorkshire141 of 16% Asian and 77% White, suggesting a disproportionate over-representation of people of Asian ethnic background (roughly double) and disproportionately under representation of people of White ethnicity (roughly half) amongst child sexual exploitation suspects in West Yorkshire over the period examined." (p. 84)}}

The [[National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse]] ("Casey audit") called for better recording of ethnicity by police forces to prevent misinformation, aid examination of the underlying issues, and restore public trust.{{sfn|Casey|2025|p=4}} In 2025, following the Casey audit's recommendations, the British Government indicated it would fund a national inquiry into the issue of group-based child sexual exploitation, including the role played by the ethnic background of offenders and to what extent there were failings by local authorities in the prevention and policing of such abuse.

The crimes resulted in increased racial and religious tensions in the United Kingdom and the issue has become [[Politicisation|politicised]].<ref>{{harvnb|Cockbain|Tufail|2020}}; {{harvnb|Shawar|2022}};{{pn|date=May 2026}} {{harvnb|Sparrow|2025}}</ref><ref name="police chief" /><ref name=":2" />

==Terminology==
''Group-based child sexual exploitation'' and ''localised grooming'' are terms used to describe the [[Commercial sexual exploitation of children|sexual exploitation]] or ''[[Sexual grooming|grooming]]'' of children and adolescents by groups. Group-based child sexual exploitation was first defined in UK law in the Department for Children, Schools and Families' statutory guidance, ''Safeguarding Children & Young People from Sexual Exploitation. Supplementary guidance to Working Together to Safeguard Children'' in 2009.{{Sfn|Casey|2025|p=24}}

A 2013 report by the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] [[Home Affairs Select Committee]] describes a group first making contact with the child in a public place. After the group's initial contact with the child, offers of treats (takeaway food, cigarettes, drugs) persuade the child to maintain the relationship. Sometimes a boy similar in age presents himself as a "boyfriend"; this person arranges for the child to be raped by other members of the group. Children may end up being raped by dozens of these group members, and may be [[Trafficking of children|trafficked]] to connected groups in other towns.<ref name="HAC2013">{{cite book |author1=Home Affairs Committee |author-link1=Home Affairs Committee |title=Child sexual exploitation and the response to localized grooming. Second Report of Session 2013–14, Vol. 1 |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmhaff/68/68i.pdf |publisher=The Stationery Office Limited |location=London |page=5 |date=10 June 2013 |access-date=7 June 2018 |archive-date=2 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902071706/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmhaff/68/68i.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=ceop />

==Statistics==
According to the [[National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse]] (2025), 28.5% of cases of contact sexual abuse can be described as sexual exploitation (17,000 in 2024), whether by individuals or groups.{{Sfn|Casey|2025}}{{pn|date=May 2026}} The National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse noted that there is a lack of data on group-based offences, with the [[Complex and Organised Child Abuse Dataset]] (COCAD) recording around 700 in 2023 (i.e., 4% of exploitation offences).{{Sfn|Casey|2025|pp=6-7}}

This type of abuse tends to target girls who are particularly vulnerable, such as those who are in local authority care.<ref name="GBCSE">{{cite web |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/944206/Group-based_CSE_Paper.pdf |title=Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation Characteristics of Offending |access-date=12 February 2023 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417072233/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/944206/Group-based_CSE_Paper.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=ceop>{{cite web |url=http://www.ceop.police.uk/Documents/ceopdocs/ceop_thematic_assessment_executive_summary.pdf |website=ceop.police.uk |title=EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CEOP thematic assessment |date=June 2011 |access-date=23 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523010403/http://www.ceop.police.uk/Documents/ceopdocs/ceop_thematic_assessment_executive_summary.pdf |archive-date=23 May 2014 |url-status=dead |quote='' Localized grooming'' is a form of sexual exploitation – previously referred to as 'on street grooming' in the media – where children have been groomed and sexually exploited by an offender, having initially met in a location outside their home. This location is usually in public, such as a park, cinema, on the street or at a friend's house. Offenders often act together, establishing a relationship with a child or children before sexually exploiting them. Some victims of 'street grooming' may believe that the offender is an older 'boyfriend'; these victims introduce their peers to the offender group who might then go on to be sexually exploited as well. Abuse may occur at several locations within a region and on several occasions. 'Localised grooming' was the term used by CEOP in the intelligence requests issued to police forces and other service agencies to define the data we wished to receive.}}</ref> The youngest recorded victim was 12 and the oldest was 18.<ref name="Lee2013">{{cite journal |url=https://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/id/eprint/67529/ |title=Group Localised Grooming: What Is It and What Challenges Does It Pose for Society and Law |last1=Mooney |first1=Jaime-Lee |last2=Ost |first2=Suzanne |journal=Child and Family Law Quarterly |date=2013 |volume=25 |issue=4 |page=425 |access-date=23 September 2023 |archive-date=27 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127054409/https://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/id/eprint/67529/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Jay Report suggested that the number of Asian victims may be underrepresented. According to the Muslim Women's Network UK, Asian victims may be particularly vulnerable to threats of bringing shame and dishonour to their families, and may have believed that reporting the abuse would be an admission they had violated their cultural beliefs. One of the local Pakistani women's groups had described Pakistani girls being targeted by Pakistani taxi drivers and landlords, but they feared reporting to the police out of concerns for their marriage prospects. The report suggested "the under-reporting of exploitation and abuse in minority ethnic communities" should be addressed.<ref name="Topping" />

===Offenders===
In spite of high-profile cases being tied by media and public perception to the [[British Pakistani]] community, there is poor data regarding the background of grooming gang members on a national scale.<ref name="Syal"/><ref name=":6" />

In December 2017, [[Quilliam (think tank)#Grooming gangs|Quilliam]], a think tank associated with anti-[[Islamism|Islamismist]] statements,<ref name="Griffin">{{cite web|title=The problem with the Quilliam Foundation|url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/opendemocracyuk/problem-with-quilliam-foundation/|last=Griffin|first=Tom|date=7 November 2016|access-date=5 October 2021|website=[[openDemocracy]]|language=en}}</ref> released a report that said 84% of offenders involved in grooming gangs were of South Asian heritage.<ref>{{cite news |last=Barnes |first=Tom |date=10 December 2017 |title=British-Pakistani researchers say grooming gangs are 84% Asian |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/quilliam-grooming-gangs-report-asian-abuse-rotherham-rochdale-newcastle-a8101941.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318190323/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/quilliam-grooming-gangs-report-asian-abuse-rotherham-rochdale-newcastle-a8101941.html |archive-date=18 March 2021 |access-date=16 December 2020 |work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> Researchers Ella Cockbain and Waqas Tufail criticised the Quilliam report's conclusions, suggesting it had methodological and scientific flaws.{{sfn|Cockbain|Tufail|2020}}<ref name="Kenan Malik (November 11th, 2018).">{{cite news |last=Malik |first=Kenan |date=11 November 2018 |title=We're told 84% of grooming gangs are Asian. But where's the evidence? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/11/84-per-cent-of-grooming-gangs-are-asians-we-dont-know-if-that-figure-is-right |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225190032/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/nov/11/84-per-cent-of-grooming-gangs-are-asians-we-dont-know-if-that-figure-is-right |archive-date=25 December 2020 |accessdate=18 August 2022 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref name="Colley2019">{{Cite journal |last=Colley |first=Sarah |date=2 September 2019 |title=Perpetrators of organised child sexual exploitation (CSE) in the UK: a review of current research |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/13552600.2019.1673493 |journal=Journal of Sexual Aggression |volume=25 |issue=3 |pages=258–274 |doi=10.1080/13552600.2019.1673493 |issn=1355-2600 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

In December 2020, a report by the [[Home Office]] found limited evidence to draw conclusions about the ethnicity of offenders, citing poor quality and incomplete data. It concluded that the ethnicity of perpetrators likely reflected national demographics for child sexual abuse in general, meaning most perpetrators were likely white, and that there was insufficient evidence to indicate whether there was an overrepresentation of Asian and black offenders. It said that it was unlikely any one community or culture was uniquely predisposed to offending.<ref>{{cite report |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/944206/Group-based_CSE_Paper.pdf |title=Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation Characteristics of Offending |date=December 2020 |publisher=[[Home Office]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260330210409/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/944206/Group-based_CSE_Paper.pdf |archive-date=30 March 2026 |page=27 |quote=While some of the research set out above suggests that there are high numbers of offenders of Asian or Black ethnicities committing group-based CSE offences, it is not possible to say whether these groups are overrepresented in this type of offending [...] Based on the existing evidence, and our understanding of the flaws in the existing data, it seems most likely that the ethnicity of group-based CSE offenders is in line with CSA more generally and with the general population, with the majority of offenders being White.}}</ref><ref name="Grierson" /> In 2021, an investigation by the ''Times'' suggested [[South Yorkshire Police]] was not routinely recording the ethnicity of child sexual abuse suspects. In Rotherham, police omitted suspect ethnicity in 67% of cases. The force said it had increased reporting of ethnicity since 2019.<ref>{{cite news |date=30 December 2021 |title=Rotherham grooming: South Yorkshire Police not recording ethnicity |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-59828338 |access-date=20 April 2023 |work=[[BBC News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122083330/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-59828338 |archive-date=22 January 2025}}</ref>

The 2025 [[Casey audit]] stated that ethnicity data collected for victims and perpetrators of group-based child sexual exploitation was "not sufficient to allow any conclusions to be drawn at the national level", but that "there have been enough convictions across the country of groups of men from Asian ethnic backgrounds to have warranted closer examination".<ref name=":6" /> The audit found that, over a three-year span in "multi-victim/multi-offender cases" in the Greater Manchester area, 52% of offenders were recorded as being of "Asian" ethnicity, with the largest subgroup of those being Pakistani, while 38% were recorded as "White". The report cites the local population as being 21% Asian descent.<ref name="Syal" />

Responding to the reaction to her audit, Casey said the public should "keep calm" over the ethnicity data, confirming that while there was a disproportionate number of Asian offenders for sexual exploitation offences in the Greater Manchester region, child abuse offences overall did not show the same disproportionality.<ref name="Syal">{{Cite news |last=Syal |first=Rajeev |date=17 June 2025 |title=Public must 'keep calm' over ethnicity of grooming gang offenders, says Louise Casey |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jun/17/public-must-keep-calm-over-ethnicity-of-grooming-gang-offenders-says-louise-casey |access-date=14 January 2026 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251031032032/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jun/17/public-must-keep-calm-over-ethnicity-of-grooming-gang-offenders-says-louise-casey |archive-date=31 October 2025}}</ref>

== Background ==
In August 2003, a television documentary reported details of an 18-month police and social services investigation into allegations that young [[British Asian]] men were targeting under-age girls for sex, drugs and prostitution in the West Yorkshire town of [[Keighley]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/society/law_order/Asian+rape+allegations/256893 |title=Asian rape allegations |work=[[Channel 4 News]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620042427/http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/society/law_order/Asian%2Brape%2Ballegations/256893 |archive-date=20 June 2010}}</ref> The [[Leeds]]-based [[Coalition for the Removal of Pimping]] (Crop) sought to bring this behaviour to national attention from at least 2010.<ref name="Independent31 Jan 2010">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/they-like-us-naive-how-teenage-girls-are-groomed-for-a-life-of-prostitution-by-uk-gangs-1880959.html |title=independent.co.uk: "'They like us naive': How teenage girls are groomed for a life of prostitution by UK gangs" 31 Jan 2010 |work=[[The Independent]] |date=31 January 2010 |access-date=25 July 2023 |archive-date=19 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819112456/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/they-like-us-naive-how-teenage-girls-are-groomed-for-a-life-of-prostitution-by-uk-gangs-1880959.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2010, the [[Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal]] saw several convictions of child sexual abusers. In 2012, members of the [[Rochdale child sex abuse ring]] were convicted on various counts, and in 2016, following the largest child sexual exploitation investigation in the UK,<ref>{{cite news |title=Child sexual abuse ring in Halifax: 25 men charged - police reaction |url=https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/crime/child-sexual-abuse-ring-in-halifax-25-men-charged-police-reaction-1-7096362#ixzz42ztRnuvm |access-date=13 February 2018 |work=[[Halifax Courier]] |date=9 February 2015 |quote=police say is the largest child sexual exploitation (CSE) investigation in the country - bigger than high profile cases in Rochdale and Rotherham |archive-date=7 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407095139/https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/crime/child-sexual-abuse-ring-in-halifax-25-men-charged-police-reaction-1-7096362#ixzz42ztRnuvm |url-status=live}}</ref> 18 men in the [[Halifax child sex abuse ring]] case were sentenced to a combined total of over 175 years in prison.<ref>{{cite news |title=Last two men sentenced in Calderdale's biggest child sex abuse case |url=https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/last-two-men-sentenced-in-calderdale-s-biggest-child-sex-abuse-case-1-7982099 |access-date=13 February 2018 |work=[[Halifax Courier]] |date=24 June 2016 |quote=Sentences imposed on the sexual offenders now total more than 175 years and an 18th man convicted only of supplying the girl with cannabis was also jailed for 10 months. |archive-date=15 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615004340/https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/last-two-men-sentenced-in-calderdale-s-biggest-child-sex-abuse-case-1-7982099 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Following further child sex abuse rings in [[Aylesbury child sex abuse ring|Aylesbury]], [[Banbury child sex abuse ring|Banbury]], [[Bristol child sex abuse ring|Bristol]], [[Derby child sex abuse ring|Derby]], [[Huddersfield grooming gang|Huddersfield]], [[Manchester child sex abuse ring|Manchester]], [[Newcastle sex abuse ring|Newcastle]], [[Oxford child sex abuse ring|Oxford]], [[Peterborough sex abuse case|Peterborough]], [[Rochdale child sex abuse ring|Rochdale]], [[Telford child sexual exploitation scandal|Telford]], and others, several investigations considered how prevalent British Asian backgrounds were in localised grooming. In 2011 and 2013, the [[National Crime Agency]]'s Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) branch collected the available data on group-based child sexual abuse from police forces in England and Wales. It reported that, where ethnicity information was available, 28% (2011) and 75% (2013) of offenders had been recorded as "Asian" by the police. The Home Office said the figures should be treated with caution as the data was incomplete and was at particular risk of bias, and recorded ethnicity was based on police assigning offenders to broad categories, rather than on offenders' own self-report.<ref name="Dec 2020 HO report 2013 COEP">{{cite web |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/944206/Group-based_CSE_Paper.pdf |title=Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation Characteristics of Offending {{!}} December 2020 |website=assets.publishing.service.gov.uk |access-date=12 February 2023 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417072233/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/944206/Group-based_CSE_Paper.pdf |url-status=live |quote=Law enforcement data can be particularly vulnerable to bias, in terms of those cases that come to the attention of the authorities [...] This can also lead to greater attention being paid to certain types of offenders, making that data more readily identified and recorded. [...] Police collected data on ethnicity uses broad categories and requires the police to assign an ethnicity rather than it being self-reported by offenders. Data is therefore not always accurate; Berelowitz ''et al.'' (2012) observed cases of offenders being initially classed as 'Asian' but actually coming from other backgrounds, such as White British or Afghan. [...] In 2013 CEOP undertook a second piece of work in this space. Data was requested from all police forces in England and Wales on contact CSA, and responses were received from 31. Of the 52 groups where data provided was useable, half of the groups consisted of all Asian offenders, 11 were all White offenders, 4 were all Black, and 2 were exclusively Arab. There were nine groups where offenders came from a mix of ethnic backgrounds. Looking at the offenders across all groups, of the 306 offenders 75% were Asian. However, as with CEOP (2011) these figures should be treated with caution due to the amount of missing data.}}</ref> In December 2017, the think tank [[Quilliam (think tank)#Grooming gangs|Quilliam]] released a report that said 84% of offenders were of South Asian heritage.<ref>{{cite news |last=Barnes |first=Tom |date=10 December 2017 |title=British-Pakistani researchers say grooming gangs are 84% Asian |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/quilliam-grooming-gangs-report-asian-abuse-rotherham-rochdale-newcastle-a8101941.html |access-date=16 December 2020 |work=[[The Independent]] |archive-date=18 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318190323/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/quilliam-grooming-gangs-report-asian-abuse-rotherham-rochdale-newcastle-a8101941.html |url-status=live}}</ref> This report was criticised by child sexual exploitation experts Ella Cockbain and Waqas Tufail, who said it was unscientific and had poor methodology.{{sfn|Cockbain|Tufail|2020}}<ref name="Kenan Malik (November 11th, 2018)." />

A further investigation was carried out by the Conservative government in December 2020, which concluded that most offenders were probably white, as with most child sexual abuse cases generally, and that there was insufficient data in this area to suggest South Asians, or any other ethnic group, were disproportionately represented among perpetrators.<ref name="Dec 2020 HO report" /> The government originally refused to release the report but eventually did so after public pressure.<ref name="Lizzie Dearden (15 December 2020).">Lizzie Dearden (15 December 2020). ''[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/grooming-gangs-review-race-religion-home-office-b1774161.html Grooming gangs come from 'diverse backgrounds, says Home Office as review finally published]''. [[The Independent]]. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20201215094928/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/grooming-gangs-review-race-religion-home-office-b1774161.html Archived Version]''. Retrieved 10 January 2020.</ref> In response to the report, then Home Secretary [[Priti Patel]] said: "This paper demonstrates how difficult it has been to draw conclusions about the characteristics of offenders."<ref name="Grierson" /> Reviews of the Rotherham, Rochdale, and Telford cases identified several common factors, with offenders often working in night-time industries like takeaways and taxis, providing access to vulnerable children.<ref name="Grierson" />

In 2023, then Prime Minister [[Rishi Sunak]] stated that victims had been failed due to political correctness, and established a taskforce to target this specific issue.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Cockbain |first=Ella |date=4 April 2023 |title=Not even Suella Braverman's own department agrees with her about 'grooming gangs' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/04/suella-braverman-grooming-gangs-child-seual-abuse-home-secretary-prejudice |access-date=10 January 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251003224439/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/apr/04/suella-braverman-grooming-gangs-child-seual-abuse-home-secretary-prejudice |archive-date=3 October 2025}}</ref><ref name="political correctness">{{Cite news |first1=Jemma |last1=Crew |first2=Tom |last2=Symonds |date=3 April 2023 |title=Rishi Sunak criticises political correctness over grooming gangs |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-65160429 |access-date=31 August 2024 |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260221030004/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-65160429 |archive-date=21 February 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=PM to clamp down on Grooming Gangs |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-to-clamp-down-on-grooming-gangs |access-date=10 January 2025 |website=GOV.UK |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260414185522/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-to-clamp-down-on-grooming-gangs |archive-date=14 April 2026}}{{pb}}{{Cite web |title=Grooming Gangs Taskforce arrests hundreds in first year |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grooming-gangs-taskforce-arrests-hundreds-in-first-year |access-date=6 July 2025 |website=GOV.UK |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260429045741/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grooming-gangs-taskforce-arrests-hundreds-in-first-year |archive-date=29 April 2026}}</ref> In 2025, the Labour government commissioned [[Louise Casey, Baroness Casey of Blackstock|Baroness Casey]] to make a detailed audit of these cases, published as the [[National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse]]. In her audit, Baroness Casey wrote: "Assertions that the majority of child sexual abuse offenders are White, even if true, are at best misleading. In a population with over of 80% of people of White ethnicity, it should always be a significant issue when people from a White background are not in the majority of victims or perpetrators of crime"{{Sfn|Casey|2025|p=128}} The review found that there were serious shortcomings in the recording of ethnicity data about perpetrators of group-based sexual abuse.{{Sfn|Casey|2025}}{{pn|date=May 2026}} In one instance, Casey stated finding a case file where the word "Pakistani" had been tippexed out.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Archie |last=Mitchell |date=17 June 2025 |title=Grooming gangs report author says word 'Pakistani' was 'tippexed out' of child's file |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/louise-casey-grooming-gangs-cooper-b2771307.html |access-date=17 November 2025 |work=[[The Independent]] |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260217104630/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/louise-casey-grooming-gangs-cooper-b2771307.html |archive-date=17 February 2026}}</ref> On 14 June 2025, having previously resisted launching an investigation,<ref name=":4" /><ref name="BBC Takeaways 2025">{{Cite news |first=Becky |last=Morton |date=16 June 2025 |title=Key takeaways from grooming gangs report |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2r2ejlvm1o |access-date=6 July 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260416153209/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2r2ejlvm1o |archive-date=16 April 2026}}</ref> Prime Minister [[Keir Starmer]] announced that the British government would launch a full national statutory inquiry into grooming gangs.<ref name="Mason Allen 2025">{{Cite news |first1=Chris |last1=Mason |first2=Isabella |last2=Allen |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7872pngj2qo |title=Sir Keir Starmer announces national inquiry into grooming gangs |date=14 June 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=14 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260129154620/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7872pngj2qo |archive-date=29 January 2026}}</ref><ref name="AJ 14 June 2025">{{cite news |title=UK announces national inquiry into 'grooming gangs' after pressure |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/14/uk-announces-national-inquiry-into-grooming-gangs-after-pressure |access-date=15 June 2025 |work=[[Al Jazeera English]] |date=14 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260312190716/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/14/uk-announces-national-inquiry-into-grooming-gangs-after-pressure |archive-date=12 March 2026}}</ref>

== Investigations and inquiries ==
=== Rotherham grooming gang scandal ===
{{See also|Investigations into the Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal}}In 2013, Rotherham Council commissioned an independent inquiry led by Professor [[Alexis Jay]], former chief social work adviser to the [[Scottish Government]], into abuse that occurred between the city. In August 2014, the Jay Report published its recommendations and concluded that an estimated 1,400 children had been sexually abused in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013. The perpetrators were predominantly British-Pakistani men.<ref>{{cite web |title=Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham (1997–2013) |url=https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/downloads/file/279/independent-inquiry-into-child-sexual-exploitation-in-rotherham |access-date=15 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260412190110/https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/downloads/file/279/independent-inquiry-into-child-sexual-exploitation-in-rotherham |archive-date=12 April 2026}}</ref><ref name="Norfolk24Sept2012">{{cite news |last=Norfolk |first=Andrew |date=24 September 2012 |title=Police files reveal vast child protection scandal |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/police-files-reveal-vast-child-protection-scandal-ffrpdr09vrv |work=[[The Times]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815192214/https://www.thetimes.com/article/police-files-reveal-vast-child-protection-scandal-ffrpdr09vrv |archive-date=15 August 2024}}</ref> The majority of victims were [[white British]] girls, but [[British Asian]] girls in Rotherham were also targeted and received less support or public attention.<ref>{{harvnb|Jay|2014|p=94|ps=: "The UK Muslim Women's Network produced a report on CSE in September 2013 which drew on 35 case studies of women from across the UK who were victims, the majority of whom were Muslim. It highlighted that Asian girls were being sexually exploited where authorities were failing to identify or support them."}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Jay|2014|p=94|ps=: "The Deputy Children's Commissioner's report reached a similar conclusion to the Muslim Women's Network research, stating 'one of these myths was that only white girls are victims of sexual exploitation by Asian or Muslim males, as if these men only abuse outside of their own community, driven by hatred and contempt for white females. This belief flies in the face of evidence that shows that those who violate children are most likely to target those who are closest to them and most easily accessible.' The Home Affairs Select Committee quoted witnesses saying that cases of Asian men grooming Asian girls did not come to light because victims 'are often alienated and ostracised by their own families and by the whole community, if they go public with allegations of abuse.'}}</ref> The failure to address the abuse was attributed to a combination of factors, including fear that the perpetrators' [[ethnicity]] would trigger allegations of [[racism]]; [[sexist]] and [[classist]] attitudes toward the mostly [[working-class]] victims; lack of a child-centred focus; a desire to protect the town's reputation; and lack of training and resources.{{sfn|Jay|2014|pp=69, 101}}{{sfn|Casey|2025|pp=9, 32–36}}<ref name="Pidd13July2015">{{cite news |first=Helen |last=Pidd |date=13 July 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/13/alexis-jay-politicians-rotherham-report-child-sex-abuse-social-worker-claims-westminster-bbc-nhs |title=Alexis Jay on child sex abuse: 'Politicians wanted to keep a lid on it' |work=[[The Guardian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260502053004/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/13/alexis-jay-politicians-rotherham-report-child-sex-abuse-social-worker-claims-westminster-bbc-nhs |archive-date=2 May 2026}}</ref> Several local authority and police staff members resigned after the report was published.<ref name="Wrightresigns">{{cite news |date=16 September 2014 |title=PCC Shaun Wright resigns over Rotherham child abuse scandal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29220535 |work=[[BBC News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260114133942/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29220535 |archive-date=14 January 2026}}</ref> The [[Independent Police Complaints Commission]] and the [[National Crime Agency]] also opened inquiries in response to the report, with the latter expected to last eight years.<ref name="NCA18Dec2014">[http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/news/517-nca-begins-two-stage-investigation-into-child-sexual-exploitation-in-rotherham "NCA begins two-stage investigation into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309045058/http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/news/517-nca-begins-two-stage-investigation-into-child-sexual-exploitation-in-rotherham|date=9 March 2017}}, National Crime Agency, 18 December 2014.{{pb}}[http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/publications/483-operation-stovewood-summary-of-terms-of-reference-1/file "Operation Stovewood—Summary of Terms of Reference"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131083705/http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/publications/483-operation-stovewood-summary-of-terms-of-reference-1/file|date=31 January 2017}}, [[National Crime Agency]].</ref><ref name="Norfolk7June2016">{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Norfolk |date=7 June 2016 |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/rotherham-abuse-inquiry-will-run-for-eight-years-xbmrpmcp9 |title=Rotherham abuse inquiry will run for eight years |work=[[The Times]] |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>

In 2014, the government appointed [[Louise Casey]] to conduct an inspection of Rotherham Council, published in January 2015. The Casey report concluded that the council was "not fit for purpose" and had a culture of bullying, sexism, covering up information and silencing [[whistleblowers]].{{sfn|Casey|2025|pp=6}}{{sfn|Casey|2025|pp=9, 11, 30}} In February 2015 the government replaced the council's elected officers with a team of five commissioners.<ref name="bbc31130750">{{cite news |date=4 February 2015 |title=Government in Rotherham Council takeover after abuse inquiry |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-31130750 |work=[[BBC News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250217155722/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-31130750 |archive-date=17 February 2025}}</ref>

=== 2013 House of Commons Home Affairs Committee Report ===
In June 2013, after a year-long investigation, the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee published ''Child sexual exploitation and the response to localised grooming'' which reviewed evidence from Rochdale, Rotherham, and Oxford.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Home Affairs Committee |author-link1=Home Affairs Committee |title=Child sexual exploitation and the response to localized grooming. Second Report of Session 2013–14, Vol. 1 |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmhaff/68/68i.pdf |publisher=The Stationery Office Limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260402175802/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmhaff/68/68i.pdf |archive-date=2 April 2026 |location=London |page=5 |date=10 June 2013}}</ref> The report concluded that vulnerable children were being left "unprotected by the system", with "an appalling cost" paid by the victims. The report said that failures had occurred across multiple agencies and were still ongoing. It blamed "police, social services and the Crown Prosecution Service", and said local authorities were slow to act due to "a woeful lack of professional curiosity".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sexually exploited children are still being failed - Committees - UK Parliament |url=https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/83/home-affairs-committee/news/181113/130610-grooming-rpt-pubn/ |access-date=8 December 2025 |website=committees.parliament.uk |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260425175956/https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/83/home-affairs-committee/news/181113/130610-grooming-rpt-pubn/ |archive-date=25 April 2026}}</ref>

=== 2020 Home Office report ===
In December 2020, the [[Home Office]] published the report ''Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation: Characteristics of Offending'', co-written by an external-reference group of members of academia, law enforcement, victim advocates and parliament workers. It concluded that most offenders were white, with some studies showing black and Asian offenders proportionally over-represented. It added that a large amount of high-profile cases involved perpetrators of South Asian origin, but that there was a general lack of data to make a definite conclusion for over-representation in all cases of group-based sexual abuse. The report also stated that the external reference group "did not reach consensus around how the evidence should be presented, particularly with regard to cultural and community contexts."<ref name="Dec 2020 HO report">{{cite web |title=Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation Characteristics of Offending {{!}} December 2020 |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/944206/Group-based_CSE_Paper.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417072233/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/944206/Group-based_CSE_Paper.pdf |archive-date=17 April 2021 |access-date=12 February 2023 |website=assets.publishing.service.gov.uk |quote=Beyond specific high-profile cases, the academic literature highlights significant limitations to what can be said about links between ethnicity and this form of offending. Research has found that group-based CSE offenders are most commonly White. Some studies suggest an over-representation of Black and Asian offenders relative to the demographics of national populations. However, it is not possible to conclude that this is representative of all group-based CSE offending. This is due to issues such as data quality problems, the way the samples were selected in studies, and the potential for bias and inaccuracies in the way that ethnicity data is collected ... Based on the existing evidence, and our understanding of the flaws in the existing data, it seems most likely that the ethnicity of group-based CSE offenders is in line with CSA [child sexual abuse] more generally and with the general population, with the majority of offenders being White.}}</ref><ref name="Grierson">{{cite news |last=Grierson |first=Jamie |date=15 December 2020 |title=Most child sexual abuse gangs made up of white men, Home Office report says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/dec/15/child-sexual-abuse-gangs-white-men-home-office-report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401080742/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/dec/15/child-sexual-abuse-gangs-white-men-home-office-report |archive-date=1 April 2021 |access-date=16 December 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The British government released the report, originally due two years earlier, after a petition by ''[[The Independent]]'' garnering over 130,000 signatures.<ref name="Lizzie Dearden (15 December 2020)."/>

=== 2025 Casey audit ===
In 2025, after initially ruling out an investigation,<ref name=":4" /><ref name="BBC Takeaways 2025" /> the Labour government commissioned [[Louise Casey, Baroness Casey of Blackstock|Baroness Casey]] to make a detailed audit of these cases, published as the [[National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse]]. The audit found serious shortcomings in the recording of ethnicity data about perpetrators of group-based sexual abuse and recommended improved reporting of ethnicity and nationality for all suspects. The review found that improved data collection by police forces in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire indicated Pakistani men were overrepresented among perpetrators in these areas, but that generally the data was "not good enough to support any statements about the ethnicity of group-based child sexual exploitation offenders at the national level."{{sfn|Casey|2025|pp=61, 74}} Casey suggested the gaps in ethnicity data had led to competing and sometimes misleading claims, including by the media and academics, that had eroded trust in institutions.{{sfn|Casey|2025|pp=121, 126–127}} She said the 2020 Home Office report's conclusion that perpetrators were "mostly White" had been widely cited but that this "does not seem to be evidenced in research or data". She said the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse was the only source to treat the Home Office report with "any balance" when it said "significant limitations" in the data prevented drawing conclusions nationally.{{sfn|Casey|2025}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}

The Casey report also found the role of the night-time economy, particularly out of area taxi licencing, contributed to child sexual exploitation. In the UK taxi licensing is done by local authorities. In areas at risk of child sexual exploitation, such as [[Rotherham]], licensing requirements exceeded national statutory minimums, but this was undermined by drivers acquiring licenses in other areas of the country and then working instead in higher-risk areas.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Cheng-Morris |first1=James |last2=Hockaday |first2=James |date=17 June 2025 |title=Four key takeaways from the grooming gangs report |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/grooming-gangs-national-inquiry-121206298.html |access-date=21 June 2025 |website=[[Yahoo News]] |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250702171439/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/web/20250702171439/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/grooming-gangs-national-inquiry-121206298.html |archive-date=2 July 2025}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Morton |first=Becky |date=16 June 2025 |title=Key takeaways from grooming gangs report |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2r2ejlvm1o |access-date=20 June 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260208163541/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2r2ejlvm1o |archive-date=8 February 2026}}</ref>

=== <span class="anchor" id="Public inquiry (2026)"></span> 2026 Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs ===

{{Redirect|Independent Inquiry Into Grooming Gangs|other inquiries|Grooming gangs scandal#Investigations and inquiries}}

On 14 June 2025, Prime Minister [[Keir Starmer]] announced that the government would launch a full national statutory inquiry into grooming gangs,<ref name="Mason Allen 2025" /><ref name="AJ 14 June 2025" /> following the recommendations of the Casey audit, which found that the ethnicity of gangs had been "shied away from". Noting that ethnicity data collected for victims and perpetrators of group-based child sexual exploitation was "not sufficient to allow any conclusions to be drawn at the national level", the report said "there have been enough convictions across the country of groups of men from Asian ethnic backgrounds to have warranted closer examination". Casey said there had been institutional "obfuscation" instead of "examination".{{sfn|Casey|2025|p=5}}<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |first1=Sam |last1=Hancock |date=16 June 2025 |title='Collective failure' to address questions about grooming gangs' ethnicity, says Casey report |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c6292x36d4pt |access-date=16 June 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260506150652/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c6292x36d4pt |archive-date=6 May 2026}}</ref> Under the [[Inquiries Act 2005]], the minister who sets up an inquiry must appoint a chairman and set terms of reference by an instrument in writing.

On 9 December 2025, Home Secretary [[Shabana Mahmood]] made a statement to Parliament announcing the ''Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs'', its panel with Baroness [[Anne Longfield]] as its chair, and terms of reference to be confirmed no later than March 2026.<ref>{{cite hansard |title=Grooming Gangs: Independent Inquiry |jurisdiction=Parliament of the United Kingdom |house=House of Commons |date=9 December 2025 |volume=777 |column=179 |speaker=[[Shabana Mahmood]] |position=[[Home Secretary]] |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025-12-09/debates/292F9375-C8B2-4B56-848A-70D76CF4EFBC/details#contribution-92CF3F1C-D422-4766-8950-4F2CF542A947 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260219091349/https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025-12-09/debates/292F9375-C8B2-4B56-848A-70D76CF4EFBC/details#contribution-92CF3F1C-D422-4766-8950-4F2CF542A947 |archive-date=19 February 2026}}</ref> The draft terms were published the same day.<ref>{{cite report |author=[[Home Office]] |date=9 December 2025 |title=Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs: Draft terms of reference |url=https://depositedpapers.parliament.uk/depositedpaper/2287647/files |work=UK Parliament deposited papers |location= |publisher=[[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] |access-date=13 February 2026 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>

== Responses ==
=== Political ===
In 2011, [[Jack Straw]], the former Labour Home Secretary told ''Newsnight'' that while most sex offenders were white there was a "specific problem" of men of Pakistani origin targeting white girls and urged the Pakistani community to be "more open" about the problem. His comments were criticised by criminologist Helen Brayley who said racial stereotyping could lead to only looking for cases where Asians were responsible, and by the MP [[Keith Vaz]] who said he did not think there was evidence of a cultural problem and that it was not possible to stereotype entire communities.<ref>{{cite news |date=8 January 2011 |title=Jack Straw criticised for 'easy meat' comments on abuse |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12142177 |access-date=17 January 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260216024344/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12142177 |archive-date=16 February 2026}}{{pb}}{{cite news |date=8 January 2011 |title=White girls 'easy meat' to Pakistani men, says Straw |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/white-girls-easy-meat-to-pakistani-men-says-straw-2179347.html |access-date=17 January 2025 |work=[[The Independent]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250628003052/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/white-girls-easy-meat-to-pakistani-men-says-straw-2179347.html |archive-date=28 June 2025}}</ref> Subsequently throughout the 2010s, [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] and [[Reform UK]] politicians, such as Rishi Sunak have reasserted that race was a factor in grooming gangs{{sfn|Cockbain|Tufail|2020}}<ref name="Guardian2023" /> and that concerns were not dealt with because of [[political correctness]].<ref name="political correctness" /><ref name="BBC2023" /><ref name="grooming gang posts" />

In 2013, Professor [[Alexis Jay]], a retired social worker, led the [[Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham]] (or ''Jay Report''),{{sfn|Jay|2014}} which said that such cases were not overlooked because of political correctness, and "found no evidence of children's social care staff being influenced by concerns about the ethnic origins of suspected perpetrators when dealing with individual child protection cases, including CSE".<ref name="Topping">{{cite news |last=Topping |first=Alexandra |date=10 September 2013 |title=Abuse of Asian girls missed because of focus on white victims, says report |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/sep/10/abuse-asian-girls-missed-white-victims |work=[[The Guardian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260113225821/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/sep/10/abuse-asian-girls-missed-white-victims |archive-date=13 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mahmood |first1=Shabnam |date=24 November 2014 |title=Yorkshire Muslim girl speaks of grooming ordeal |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-30152240 |access-date=13 February 2018 |work=[[BBC News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260112022009/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-30152240 |archive-date=12 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Khaleeli |first=Homa |date=3 September 2014 |title=Rotherham: 'It's sad that it's taken something so horrific to give voice to these girls' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/sep/03/rotherham-you-cant-blame-all-of-us |work=[[The Guardian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250721022232/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/sep/03/rotherham-you-cant-blame-all-of-us |archive-date=21 July 2025}}</ref> In 2015, Jay attributed the authorities' inaction to "their desire to accommodate a community that would be expected to vote Labour, to not rock the boat, to keep a lid on it, to hope it would go away".<ref>{{cite news |first=Helen |last=Pidd |title=Alexis Jay on child sex abuse: 'Politicians wanted to keep a lid on it' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/13/alexis-jay-politicians-rotherham-report-child-sex-abuse-social-worker-claims-westminster-bbc-nhs |date=13 July 2015 |work=[[The Guardian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260502053004/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/13/alexis-jay-politicians-rotherham-report-child-sex-abuse-social-worker-claims-westminster-bbc-nhs |archive-date=2 May 2026}}</ref>

After a 2017 case in Newcastle, former Conservative policing and justice minister [[Mike Penning]] urged Attorney General [[Jeremy Wright]] to consider the offences against "young white girls" as racially motivated.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Martin |last2=Swinford |first2=Steven |date=11 August 2017 |title='Racist' Asian sex gangs: MPs demand tougher sentences for grooming young white girls |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/08/10/calls-asian-grooming-gangs-treated-racially-aggravated-criminals/ |access-date=5 January 2025 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207193106/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/08/10/calls-asian-grooming-gangs-treated-racially-aggravated-criminals/ |archive-date=7 December 2018}}</ref> The judge presiding over the case in question later ruled that the girls were not targeted for their race.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dearden |first=Lizzie |date=5 September 2017 |title=Newcastle grooming gang 'did not target white girls because of their race', judge rules |url=https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/crime/newcastle-grooming-gang-asian-white-girls-not-targeted-race-judge-court-sentencing-rape-sexual-exploitation-a7931276.html |access-date=6 January 2025 |work=[[The Independent]] |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250917054227/https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/crime/newcastle-grooming-gang-asian-white-girls-not-targeted-race-judge-court-sentencing-rape-sexual-exploitation-a7931276.html |archive-date=17 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Halliday |first=Josh |date=5 September 2017 |title=Newcastle grooming gang members jailed for up to 29 years |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/sep/05/newcastle-grooming-gang-members-jailed-up-to-29-years |access-date=6 January 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251214015345/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/sep/05/newcastle-grooming-gang-members-jailed-up-to-29-years |archive-date=14 December 2025}}</ref>

In 2017, the Labour [[Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities]] and MP for Rotherham [[Sarah Champion]] wrote in ''The Sun'' that "Britain has a problem with British Pakistani men raping and exploiting white girls". Champion's remarks came after the prosecution and conviction of 17 men from the [[Newcastle sex abuse ring]], who were from Iraqi, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Indian, Iranian and Turkish communities, for forcing underage girls to have sex. Champion said that a fear of being called racist was hampering police investigations. Following criticism, including from fellow Labour MP [[Naz Shah]], the [[Muslim Council of Britain]], and the [[Board of Deputies of British Jews]], Champion apologised for the article and resigned as Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 August 2017 |title=Sarah Champion quits Labour front bench over rape article |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-40952224 |access-date=14 June 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251212224320/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-40952224 |archive-date=12 December 2025}}</ref>{{sfn|Bhattacharyya|Elliott-Cooper|Balani|Nişancıoğlu|2021|p=114}} Following her resignation, Champion accused the left of failing to speak out on grooming gangs for fear of being branded racist.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 September 2017 |title=Sarah Champion: Labour's 'floppy left' falls silent when issues touch on race |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/sep/02/sarah-champion-labours-floppy-left-falls-silent-when-issues-touch-on-race |access-date=14 June 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250815024634/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/sep/02/sarah-champion-labours-floppy-left-falls-silent-when-issues-touch-on-race |archive-date=15 August 2025}}</ref>

In 2023, then Home Secretary [[Suella Braverman]] said in an opinion piece that "grooming gang" members in the United Kingdom were "almost all British-Pakistani" and held "cultural attitudes completely incompatible with British values". In response, the [[Independent Press Standards Organisation]] issued a correction stating that Braverman's article was "misleading", since it did not make it explicit that she was talking about the Rotherham, Rochdale and Telford child sexual abuse scandals in particular.<ref name="BBC2023">{{Cite news |last=Geiger |first=Chas |date=29 September 2023 |title=Suella Braverman UK-Pakistani grooming claim misleading, says press regulator |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-66960890 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260204070232/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-66960890 |archive-date=4 February 2026}}</ref> Many experts and organisations called on her to withdraw her comments, saying she was amplifying far-right ideologies and making it harder to address the issue.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Peter |date=3 April 2023 |title=No 10 denies using dog-whistle politics in grooming gangs crackdown |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/apr/03/no-10-denies-using-dog-whistle-politics-in-grooming-gangs-crackdown-rishi-sunak |access-date=10 January 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260306210714/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/apr/03/no-10-denies-using-dog-whistle-politics-in-grooming-gangs-crackdown-rishi-sunak |archive-date=6 March 2026}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name="Sky20232" /> The [[NSPCC|National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)]] said that by focusing primarily on South Asian men, Braverman was fuelling "misinformation, racism and division".<ref name="Sky20232">{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Faye |date=20 April 2023 |title=Suella Braverman describes grooming gang comments as 'unfashionable facts' after backlash |url=https://news.sky.com/story/suella-braverman-describes-grooming-gang-comments-as-unfashionable-facts-after-backlash-12861676 |access-date=31 August 2024 |work=[[Sky News]] |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250918210425/https://news.sky.com/story/suella-braverman-describes-grooming-gang-comments-as-unfashionable-facts-after-backlash-12861676 |archive-date=18 September 2025}}</ref><ref name="Guardian2023">{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Peter |date=25 May 2023 |title='Inaccurate' grooming gang claims putting children at risk, Sunak and Braverman told |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/may/25/inaccurate-grooming-gang-claims-putting-children-at-risk-sunak-and-braverman-told |access-date=31 August 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250730234719/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/may/25/inaccurate-grooming-gang-claims-putting-children-at-risk-sunak-and-braverman-told |archive-date=30 July 2025}}</ref> The charity said that "a singular focus on groups of male abusers of British-Pakistani origin draws attention away from so many other sources of harm".<ref name="Guardian2023" /><ref name=":1" /> Sabah Kaiser, [[ethnic minority]] ambassador for the Jay Report, said it was "very, very dangerous for the government to turn child sexual abuse into a matter of colour".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Peter |date=3 April 2023 |title=NSPCC warns against framing grooming gangs problem as ethnicity-based |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/apr/03/nspcc-warns-against-framing-grooming-gangs-problem-as-ethnicity-based |access-date=10 January 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260329094631/https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/apr/03/nspcc-warns-against-framing-grooming-gangs-problem-as-ethnicity-based |archive-date=29 March 2026}}</ref>

In 2024, Jay said she was "frustrated" that the government had still not taken action two years after her report was published.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |first1=Laura |last1=Kuenssberg |author1-link=Laura Kuenssberg |first2=Mallory |last2=Moench |date=5 January 2025 |title=Nigel Farage defends Elon Musk over grooming gangs posts |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd9x3d4v7jdo |access-date=8 January 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250903030308/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd9x3d4v7jdo |archive-date=3 September 2025}}</ref>

In 2025, former Home Office minister [[Robert Jenrick]] said group-based child sexual exploitation was "perhaps the greatest racially motivated crime in modern Britain",<ref name="Jenrick grooming gangs">{{cite news |first=Robert |last=Jenrick |date=3 January 2025 |title=The truth about 'grooming gangs' is finally coming out |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/02/truth-about-grooming-gangs-finally-coming-out-abuse-uk/ |access-date=3 January 2025 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250312153332/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/02/truth-about-grooming-gangs-finally-coming-out-abuse-uk/ |archive-date=12 March 2025}}</ref> and said the British state had covered it up to protect community relations.<ref name="grooming gang posts">{{cite news |last1=Kuenssberg |first1=Laura |author1-link=Laura Kuenssberg |last2=Moench |first2=Mallory |date=5 January 2025 |title=Farage defends Musk after grooming gangs posts |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd9x3d4v7jdo |access-date=5 January 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260113150650/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd9x3d4v7jdo |archive-date=13 January 2026}}</ref> Journalist [[Nick Robinson (journalist)|Nick Robinson]] said Jenrick had not raised the issue when he was a Home Office minister.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/robert-jenrick-nick-robinson-bbc-grooming-gangs-clash-b2675062.html |title=Listen: Robert Jenrick clashes with BBC's Nick Robinson over grooming gang row |date=7 January 2025 |language=en |access-date=9 January 2025 |via=[[The Independent]] |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> [[Simon Danczuk]] MP also claimed a Labour Party chairman had told him not to draw attention to the ethnicity of the gangs in his Rochdale constituency in case it affected the party's electoral chances.<ref name="Hymas 2025">{{Cite news |last=Hymas |first=Charles |date=10 January 2025 |title=Pakistanis up to four times more likely to be behind grooming |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/10/pakistanis-four-times-more-likely-grooming/ |access-date=10 April 2025 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> Labour MP [[Nadia Whittome]] said the Conservatives and Reform were "weaponising the trauma of victims" for their own game. Prime Minister [[Keir Starmer]] said the Conservatives were "playing politics with the safety of vulnerable children" by using the issue to fundraise for the party.{{sfn|Sparrow|2025}}
==== 2026 Lowe report ====

On 16 June 2026, [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]] for [[Great Yarmouth (UK Parliament constituency)|Great Yarmouth]] and leader of [[Restore Britain]], [[Rupert Lowe]] published ''The Rape Gang Inquiry Report'' on [[X (social network)|X]]. Headed by [[Sammy Woodhouse]], a child sexual abuse activist, the report primarily investigates child sexual abuse beginning from the 1950's onwards. Citing [[Malcolm Pearson, Baron Pearson of Rannoch]] in a 2019 [[House of Lords]] debate, it claims that at least 250,000 white girls were subjected to "repeated rape, gang rape, trafficking, torture, pregnancy, forced Islamic conversion and lifelong trauma", while acknowledging imprecision over the figure, claiming this is because the numbers were not recorded. The report does not support their figure with original data, but draws on extant material, including advocacy material.{{R|Kaul 2026}} This figure has however been criticized as being wildly inaccurate and misleading.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Raymond |first1=Shane |title=Debunked: Estimate of 250,000 victims of UK ‘grooming gangs’ is based on bad stats |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/250000-victims-of-grooming-gangs-in-the-uk-lord-pearson-of-rannoch-statistics-elon-musk-6596961-Jan2025/ |work=TheJournal.ie |date=21 January 2025 |language=en}}</ref> It also accuses that the police, social services, schools, the [[National Health Service]], licensing authorities, and governments allowed the gangs to operate unharmed.<ref name="Kaul 2026">{{Cite web |last=Kaul |first=Vitasta |date=June 17, 2026 |title=What UK MP Rupert Lowe’s grooming gangs report says about immigration, child abuse, and Islam |url=https://theprint.in/feature/uk-rupert-lowes-grooming-gangs-report-immigration-child-abuse-islam/2962647/ |access-date=June 17, 2026 |website=The Print}}</ref>

=== Media ===
A number of writers and scholars<ref>{{harvnb|Miah|2015|pp=54–66}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Tufail|Poynting|2016}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Quraishi|2016}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Cockbain|2013|pp=22–32|ps=: "The British media's construction of a specifically South Asian notion of hegemonic masculinity began long before the recent spate of high-profile cases of child sexual exploitation and grooming. The Ouseley report on the Bradford race riots (Ouseley 2001), and the Cantle Report on the Oldham, Burnley and Bradford riots (Cantle 2001), focused on cultural difference as the primary causal factor for these events, maintaining that British South Asians and white Britons led 'parallel lives'. Media coverage of the riots described angry young men who were alienated from society and their own communities, and had become entangled in a life of crime and violence, a vision that provided the bedrock for the construction of what Claire Alexander calls the 'new Asian folk devil' (2000)."}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Gill|Harrison|2015}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}</ref> have accused politicians and the media of creating a [[moral panic]] over the issue and fostering [[Islamophobia]].<ref>{{harvnb|Cockbain|Tufail|2020}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Tufail|2015}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Meyer|2015}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Gill|Day|2020}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}</ref>

British media outlets such as ''[[The Times]]'', ''[[MailOnline]]'', ''[[The Guardian]]'' and ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' have especially focussed on the ethnicity of the perpetrators in their reporting of such cases.<ref name="GillHarrison2015" /><ref name="scapegoating">Gill, Aisha K. "Child sexual exploitation and scapegoating minority communities." In ''The Routledge Companion to Gender, Media and Violence'', pp. 105-115. Routledge, 2023.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Cockbain|Tufail|2020}}{{pb}}{{Cite web |last=Kanter |first=Jake |date=8 January 2025 |title=How Elon Musk's Intense Interest In A UK Grooming Gang Scandal Is Being Driven By Disruptive Right-Wing Network GB News |url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/elon-musk-uk-grooming-gang-scandal-driven-by-gb-news-1236250381/ |access-date=9 January 2025 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |quote=Peters’ reporting has been amplified by colleagues who embellish GB News’ output with outraged monologues. Presenters like Patrick Christys have consistently leaned into the racial dimension of the story, accusing the government of failing to act amid fears of offending the 'Muslim community.' And it has worked — coverage has resonated. 'Every time this story is connected to British-Pakistanis, ratings and traffic go up,' says someone familiar with GB News’ internal audience data.}}</ref> This has led to increased public awareness and politicisation of the issue.{{sfn|Cockbain|Tufail|2020}}{{sfn|Shawar|2022}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}

Rochdale police chief Ian Hopkins stated that ''The Times''<nowiki/>' sensationalist news reporting around the [[Rochdale child sex abuse ring]] scandal had increased communal tensions.<ref name="police chief">{{Cite news |last1=Jenkins |first1=Lin |last2=Parveen |first2=Nazia |date=21 June 2016 |title=Rochdale: police chief 'appalled' by Times 'sex grooming town' report after imam's murder |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/feb/20/times-apologise-rochdale-sex-grooming-town-murder-imam |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dodd |first=Vikram |date=8 December 2023 |title=Police still victim blaming in grooming gang cases, watchdog finds |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/dec/08/police-still-victim-blaming-child-grooming-gang-cases-watchdog-finds-inspection-england-and-wales |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url= |archive-date= |quote=Any public perception that those responsible are predominantly from the Pakistani or south Asian community may be influenced by national media coverage of some of the cases ... Furthermore, we didn’t find that this public perception was supported by the 27 group-based child sexual exploitation investigations we examined during the inspection.}}</ref> Rebecca Riggs, the lead on child protection and abuse investigations at the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), said the media focus on Pakistani men could leave other victims "feeling that their type of crime isn't a priority".<ref name="Hymas 2025" />

Researchers in the social sciences—such as Shamim Miah, Tufail Waqas, Muzammil Quraishi, Aisha K. Gill, Karen Harrison,<ref name="GillHarrison2015" />{{pn|date=May 2026}} Aviah Sarah Day,{{sfn|Gill|Day|2020}}{{pn|date=May 2026}} and others<ref>{{harvnb|Tufail|Poynting|2016}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Quraishi|2016}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Miah|2015}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Shawar|2022}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}</ref>—have criticised the focus on race, religion and ethnicity by politicians and the media, describing the public discourse as a [[moral panic]] fuelled by sensationalist news reporting. They say this has portrayed Muslim and South Asian men as [[folk devil]]s.<ref>{{harvnb|Gill|Day|2020}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}{{pb}}{{Cite news |date=6 January 2025 |title=PM attacks those 'spreading lies' on grooming gangs as he hits back at Musk |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c75wp53vk1lo |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref><ref name="GillHarrison2015" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dodd |first=Vikram |date=8 December 2023 |title=Police still victim blaming in grooming gang cases, watchdog finds |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/dec/08/police-still-victim-blaming-child-grooming-gang-cases-watchdog-finds-inspection-england-and-wales |access-date=9 January 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url= |archive-date= |quote=Any public perception that those responsible are predominantly from the Pakistani or south Asian community may be influenced by national media coverage of some of the cases ... Furthermore, we didn’t find that this public perception was supported by the 27 group-based child sexual exploitation investigations we examined during the inspection.}}</ref>

Community groups like the Muslim Women's network and the [[Muslim Council of Britain]], argue that sensational media reporting is responsible for increasing [[Islamophobia in the United Kingdom|Islamophobia]].<ref name="Sky20232" /><ref name="Guardian2023" /> According to [[Miqdaad Versi]], director for media monitoring at the Muslim Council of Britain, the media does this by "conflating the faith of Islam with criminality, such as the headlines 'Muslim sex grooming'".<ref name="Versi">{{Cite news |last=Versi |first=Miqdaad |date=4 April 2016 |title=Why the British media is responsible for the rise in Islamophobia in Britain |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/why-the-british-media-is-responsible-for-the-rise-in-islamophobia-in-britain-a6967546.html |access-date=3 September 2024 |work=[[The Independent]] |language=en |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> Right-wing figures, particularly [[Elon Musk]] in early 2025, have also been criticised of over-amplifying the issue in social media, with Musk describing safeguarding minister [[Jess Phillips]] as a "rape genocide apologist" over the issue.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Kanter |first=Jake |date=8 January 2025 |title=How Elon Musk's intense interest in a UK grooming gangs scandal is being driven by disruptive right-wing network GB News |url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/elon-musk-uk-grooming-gang-scandal-driven-by-gb-news-1236250381/ |access-date=9 January 2025 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-url= |archive-date= |quote=Peters' reporting has been amplified by colleagues who embellish GB News' output with outraged monologues. Presenters like Patrick Christys have consistently leaned into the racial dimension of the story, accusing the government of failing to act amid fears of offending the 'Muslim community.' And it has worked — coverage has resonated. 'Every time this story is connected to British-Pakistanis, ratings and traffic go up,' says someone familiar with GB News' internal audience data.}}</ref>

Ella Cockbain, an associate professor in security and crime science at [[University College London]],<ref name=":0" /> suggests that "sweeping, ill-founded generalisations" in the discourse around group-based child sexual exploitation serves to "further a political agendum and legitimise thinly veiled racism, ultimately doing victims a disservice".{{sfn|Cockbain|2013}}{{pn|date=May 2026}} Cockbain writes that the concept of "grooming gangs" is ill-defined, defined based on unrepresentative samples to create a false narrative that Pakistani men are more likely to engage in child sexual abuse.<ref name="Colley2019" /><ref>{{harvnb|Cockbain|2013}}{{pn|date=May 2026}}{{pb}}{{harvnb|Cockbain|Tufail|2020}}</ref>

Public health and international studies scholars Yusra Ribhi Shawar, Phong Phu Truong and Jeremy Shiffman said that "the race element of the narrative" was amplified mainly by right-wing media, and sometimes individuals on the left, to "capitalize on wider anti-Muslim and xenophobic attitudes". They said that although this was "unhelpful", it had increased public awareness of the issue and led to increased government action on child abuse.{{sfn|Shawar|2022}}{{pn|date=May 2026}} Sociologists Gargi Bhattacharyya et al. state that the far-right has benefited from the politicisation of the issue, leading to a resurgence for far right groups. They suggest that the focus on race and ethnicity has also been at the expense of a deeper examination of other contributing factors, such as state neglect.{{sfn|Bhattacharyya|Elliott-Cooper|Balani|Nişancıoğlu|2021|pp=114, 118|ps=: "...it gave the far-right an opportunity to position itself as the only voice willing to 'speak the truth' on behalf of the victims, providing the space for legitimisation and support; and it enabled the far-right to position itself as the primary anti-state/anti-elite force, creating a sense of 'emergency' and need for 'intervention' at the state level. Importantly, this racialising set of processes also meant that the interaction between patriarchal violence and state neglect, which led to so many young people being harmed, was minimised and obscured."}}

In 2013, [[BBC]] ''Inside Out London'' investigated allegations made by members of the [[Sikhism in the United Kingdom|Sikh community]] that British Sikh girls living inside Britain were being targeted by men who pretended to be Sikhs.<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite news |title=British Sikh girls exposed to sexual grooming |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-23632247 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011043746/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23632247 |archive-date=11 October 2016 |access-date=25 July 2023 |work=[[BBC News]] }}</ref> An investigation by the Sociology Lecturer Katy P Sian <ref>https://www.york.ac.uk/sociology/people/katysian/</ref> of the [[University of York]] claimed that this was ' problematic politics' and found that the people making the accusation 'have seemingly little to say on Weinstein'.<ref>Katy Sian (17 October 2017). ''[https://ceasefiremagazine.co.uk/patriarchy-islamophobia-misogyny-challenging-politics-sikh-youth-uk/ Patriarchy, Islamophobia and Misogyny: On challenging the politics of Sikh Youth UK] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015100334/https://ceasefiremagazine.co.uk/patriarchy-islamophobia-misogyny-challenging-politics-sikh-youth-uk/|date=15 October 2023}}''. Ceasefire Magazine. Retrieved 14 March 2020.</ref><ref name="Forced">{{cite journal |last=Sian |first=Katy P. |date=6 July 2011 |title='Forced' conversions in the British Sikh diaspora |url=https://pure.manchester.ac.uk/ws/files/22953295/POST-PEER-REVIEW-PUBLISHERS.PDF |url-status=live |journal=South Asian Popular Culture |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=115–130 |doi=10.1080/14746681003798060 |s2cid=54174845 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711063451/https://pure.manchester.ac.uk/ws/files/22953295/POST-PEER-REVIEW-PUBLISHERS.PDF |archive-date=11 July 2022 |access-date=25 July 2023}}</ref> Further reports compiled by the blogger Sunny Hundal and Professor of religion further claimed 'there is a need for more research
on the issue of sexual grooming' but that "One in 7 Sikh women knew someone who had been targeted by grooming gangs".<ref name="Jagbir Jhutti-Johal; Sunny Hundal (August 2019)p15">Jagbir Jhutti-Johal; Sunny Hundal (August 2019). ''[https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/841033/the-changing-nature-of-activism-among-sikhs-in-the-uk-today-221019.pdf The changing nature of activism among Sikhs in the UK today]''. The Commission For Countering Extremism. University of Birmingham. p. 14. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20200217022921/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/841033/the-changing-nature-of-activism-among-sikhs-in-the-uk-today-221019.pdf WayBackMachine Link]''. Retrieved 17 February 2020.</ref>{{sfn|Cockbain|Tufail|2020}}

In April 2025, Channel 4 broadcast ''Groomed: A National Scandal'', a documentary which revisited the theme of director Anna Hall's 2004 film ''[[Edge of the City (2004 film)|Edge of the City]]'' and centred on the stories of survivors of sexual abuse and the shortcomings of local councils in addressing the issue.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2jYOOFZ4n |title=Groomed: A National Scandal |date=29 April 2025 |last=Hall |first=Anna |medium=Documentary |publisher=[[Channel 4]] |access-date=14 May 2025 |quote=A 2025 Channel 4 documentary highlighting survivor testimonies and institutional failures in addressing grooming gangs in the UK.}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Rape culture]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Sources===

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* {{cite book |last=Gill |first=Aisha |title=The Routledge Companion to Gender, Media and Violence |chapter=Child sexual exploitation and scapegoating minority communities |year=2023 |pages=105–115 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |doi=10.4324/9781003200871-12 |isbn=978-1-003-20087-1 |url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003200871-12/child-sexual-exploitation-scapegoating-minority-communities-aisha-gill}}

* {{Cite journal |last=Hanson |first=Martin |date=2018 |title=Muslim grooming gangs |url=https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.T2024062400003801479408026 |journal=The Open Society |volume=91 |issue=4 |pages=5–10}}

* {{Cite web |title=Jay Report into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham - Committees - UK Parliament |url=https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1954/jay-report-into-child-sexual-exploitation-in-rotherham/ |access-date=10 January 2025 |website=committees.parliament.uk |language=en |ref={{harvid|Jay|2014}}}}

* {{cite book |last=Meyer |first=Anneke |chapter=The Rotherham abuse scandal |date=30 June 2015 |title=Revisiting Moral Panics |pages=113–122 |editor-last=Cree |editor-first=Viviene E. |url=https://bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/book/9781447321873/ch010.xml |access-date=21 June 2025 |publisher=[[Policy Press]] |doi=10.51952/9781447321873.ch010 |isbn=978-1-4473-2187-3 |editor2-last=Clapton |editor2-first=Gary |editor3-last=Smith |editor3-first=Mark |mode=cs1}}
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* {{cite book |last=Patel |first=Tina |title=Media, Crime and Racism |chapter=Cultural Repertoires and Modern Menaces: The Media’s Racialised Coverage of Child Sexual Exploitation |year=2018 |pages=33–47 |chapter-url=http://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/46617/ |publisher=Springer |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-71776-0_3 |isbn=978-3-319-71775-3 }}

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* {{cite book |last=Tucker |first=Katie |title=Feminist Responses to Injustices of the State and its Institutions: Politics, Intervention, Resistance |date=2023 |publisher=[[Bristol University Press]] |isbn=978-1-5292-0728-6 |edition=1 |chapter=At the Limits of 'Acceptable' Speech: A Feminist Analysis of Official Discourse on Child Sexual Abuse|pages=76–98 |doi=10.2307/j.ctv31zqc9m.8 |jstor=j.ctv31zqc9m.8 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv31zqc9m.8}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Tufail |first=Waqas |date=2015 |title=Rotherham, Rochdale, and the Racialised threat of the 'Muslim grooming gang' |url=https://search.informit.org/doi/abs/10.3316/INFORMIT.252439513232546 |journal=International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy |volume=4 |issue=3 |pages=30–43 |doi=10.5204/ijcjsd.v4i3.249}}
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* {{cite report |title=Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation Characteristics of Offending {{!}} December 2020 |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/944206/Group-based_CSE_Paper.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417072233/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/944206/Group-based_CSE_Paper.pdf |archive-date=17 April 2021 |location=London |publisher=UK Government |access-date=14 October 2025 |ref={{harvid|UK Government Report|2020}} }}

* {{cite journal |last1=Wroe |first1=Lauren Elizabeth |last2=Vaughn |first2=Leona |title=Race, class and the weaponisation of child safety |type=editorial |journal=Critical and Radical Social Work |date=April 2025 |volume=13 |issue=2 |pages=148–154 |doi=10.1332/20498608Y2025D000000074 |doi-access=free}}


==External links==
* [https://www.grooming-gangs.independent-inquiry.uk/ Statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs] ([https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/independent-inquiry-into-grooming-gangs collection]) from the [[Home Office]]

{{Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom}}
{{Keir Starmer}}

[[Category:2017 scandals]]
[[Category:2017 in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:British Pakistani history]]
[[Category:Child sexual abuse cover-ups]]
[[Category:Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Race-related controversies in the United Kingdom]]

Talk:Main Page

2026-07-09T07:32:37Z

WikiDwarf: Reverted edit by Drranjitjagtap (talk) to last revision by WikiDwarf

== Whats Your opinion to Budget 2022 ==

Share Your Views ramizrajamalik 23:09, 5 February 2022 (IST)

== Update needed ==

News 🗞️ needed to be update on main page.[https://en.bharatpedia.org/wiki/Main_Page] [[User:Bharatwiki_Socrates|<span style="font-weight:bold;color:#1f618d;text-shadow:1px 1px 2px #3498db;">🍁Bharatwiki Socrates🍁</span>]][[User talk:Bharatwiki_Socrates|<span style="color:#FF9933;font-weight:bold;text-shadow:1px 2px #1f618d;">(📩)</span>]] 07:16, 21 February 2024 (IST)

Viraj Jan Party

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Talk:Masood Azhar

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== Suggestion ==

IT WAS GOOD BUT YOU NEED PUT PHOTO,S AND VEDEO AS WELL IN YOUR WEBSITE

[[Special:Contributions/45.119.47.208|45.119.47.208]] ([[User talk:45.119.47.208|talk]]) 18:07, 6 July 2026 (IST)

:Thank you for the suggestion. The image has been added. [[User:WikiDwarf|WikiDwarf]] ([[User talk:WikiDwarf|talk]]) 11:20, 7 July 2026 (IST)

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