Child sexual exploitation in UK
By Dr Ashraf Chohan
Chariman PMLN UK
Chief Editor Daily Rapid Lahore
While there is a disproportionate involvement of South Asian men in specific high-profile cases, child sexual exploitation is a broader societal issue involving offenders from various backgrounds.
The issue of child sexual exploitation (CSE) and organized abuse, sometimes referred to as “child grooming gangs,” has been a topic of significant concern and controversy in the UK. This issue is again in discussions in the media
Elan Musk has tweeted on this topic few times and UK government is blamed for complacency.
A breakdown of the information is below:
• Extent: Cases of organized CSE have been uncovered across the UK, involving hundreds of victims and perpetrators. While high-profile cases are the most visible, it is challenging to estimate the full extent due to underreporting and the secretive nature of such crimes.
Victims: Most victims are vulnerable young girls, often from challenging socio-economic backgrounds, who are groomed and exploited over time.
Geographical Areas Involved
High-profile cases have emerged in several areas, including but not limited to:
• Rotherham: An inquiry revealed over 1,400 victims between 1997 and 2013.
• Rochdale: Multiple cases of exploitation uncovered.
• Telford: Investigations revealed extensive abuse spanning decades.
• Oxford, Newcastle, Huddersfield, and Keighley: Similar patterns of abuse were reported.
These cases often involve small networks of offenders operating locally, exploiting vulnerable individuals.
Communities Involved
• Ethnic Backgrounds of Offenders: The offenders in some high-profile cases have disproportionately been of South Asian descent, particularly men of Pakistani heritage. However, child sexual exploitation is not exclusive to any one ethnicity, and offenders have been identified across a range of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
Broader Context:
Independent reviews, such as the 2015 report by the Jay Inquiry in Rotherham, emphasised that the ethnicity of offenders should not overshadow the systemic failures of authorities to act.
Ethnic Percentage of Involvement
Data on ethnicity is inconsistent and often not systematically collected.
In high-profile cases, a significant percentage of offenders have been reported as South Asian men, but these cases do not represent the entirety of CSE across the UK.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) and Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) command have found that the majority of sexual abuse offenders in the UK are white, reflecting the broader demographics of the country.
Challenges in Understanding the Issue
Systemic Failures: Authorities have been criticised for not acting decisively due to fears of being labeled racist or politically incorrect.
Broader Abuse Patterns:
Organised abuse by grooming gangs is only one form of child sexual exploitation. Most cases involve individual offenders, who are predominantly white and not linked to grooming gangs.
Therefore in summary while there is a disproportionate involvement of South Asian men in specific high-profile cases, child sexual exploitation is a broader societal issue involving offenders from various backgrounds. Authorities and communities must address systemic failures and avoid stigmatising entire communities while focusing on safeguarding children and prosecuting offenders.
