- Joined
- Mar 11, 2013
- Messages
- 17,777
- Points
- 113
New grooming gangs scandal erupts in another part of UK - 'raped more than 1,000 times'
Questions are being asked as to why there's no inquiry into grooming gangs in one part of Britain.
Pressure is mounting for all victims of grooming gangs to have their voices heard (Image: Getty)
Survivors of grooming gangs in Wales feel “overlooked and ignored” with the long-awaited inquiry’s investigations focused on English areas, the leader of the Welsh Conservatives has warned. Plaid Cymru and Labour, its predecessor in power in the Welsh Government, are accused of refusing to “back the comprehensive investigation that victims deserve”.
Welsh Tory leader Darren Millar pressed for action, saying: “We know that child sexual exploitation has been happening in Wales because brave survivors have come forward to tell their stories.”
He wants the Welsh Government to commission its own inquiry if the one chaired by Baroness Anne Longfield treats Wales as an “afterthought”.
Mr Millar said he spoke to one survivor who described “how she was groomed, trafficked and raped more than 1,000 times”.
He said: “She has shown extraordinary courage in sharing her experience. Wales owes it to her, and to every other victim, to ensure the truth is fully uncovered.”
The Senedd member is disappointed that the areas chosen by the Statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs for local investigations are all in England – Bradford and Keighley, London and Oldham.
He said: “Not one of the local investigations announced by the inquiry to date is located here in Wales. And that decision is leaving survivors here feeling overlooked and ignored, and struggling to understand why they will need to wait longer for answers. Rather than standing up for Welsh victims and pressing for Wales to be included, the new Plaid Cymru Government appears to have simply accepted that decision. I do not believe that is good enough.”
Adamant that abuses on the Welsh side. of the border must not be ignored, he said: “Grooming gangs have operated in Wales, in cities, in towns, and in rural areas. There are victims, perpetrators, and those who could have done more to protect people. Serious questions need answering. People need to be held to account. And victims deserve justice.”
- Police issue major update on Ann Widdecombe murder as they pinpoint attack time
- Ann Widdecombe investigation: 'Mystery hiker' seen at her home in middle of night
Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar (Image: John Myers)
Mr Millar wants the Welsh Government to press for “Wales to be fully incorporated” into the national inquiry.
He said: “Should the inquiry continue to fail to properly investigate matters in Wales then the Welsh Government must use its powers to act and establish its own inquiry into the role of those public authorities and agencies for which it is responsible, and it should do so without hesitation. Such an inquiry should examine whether schools, the NHS and, above all, social services responded appropriately when children were at risk. It should establish whether warning signs were missed, whether agencies worked together effectively and whether vulnerable young people received the protection they deserved.”
Mr Millar insisted that fear of causing offence must not deter investigations.
He said: “Some argue that politicians have been reluctant to confront aspects of these crimes because many offenders in some cases elsewhere in Britain have come from particular ethnic backgrounds. We must never stereotype entire communities, and the overwhelming majority of people of all backgrounds are appalled by these crimes. But protecting children must always come before political sensitivities. Fear of causing offence can never become an excuse for failing to investigate serious crime wherever it exists. If Wales continues to be relegated to an afterthought in the national inquiry, Wales must hold its own.”
Welsh Tory leader Darren Millar pressed for action, saying: “We know that child sexual exploitation has been happening in Wales because brave survivors have come forward to tell their stories.”
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
He wants the Welsh Government to commission its own inquiry if the one chaired by Baroness Anne Longfield treats Wales as an “afterthought”.
Mr Millar said he spoke to one survivor who described “how she was groomed, trafficked and raped more than 1,000 times”.
He said: “She has shown extraordinary courage in sharing her experience. Wales owes it to her, and to every other victim, to ensure the truth is fully uncovered.”
The Senedd member is disappointed that the areas chosen by the Statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs for local investigations are all in England – Bradford and Keighley, London and Oldham.
He said: “Not one of the local investigations announced by the inquiry to date is located here in Wales. And that decision is leaving survivors here feeling overlooked and ignored, and struggling to understand why they will need to wait longer for answers. Rather than standing up for Welsh victims and pressing for Wales to be included, the new Plaid Cymru Government appears to have simply accepted that decision. I do not believe that is good enough.”
Adamant that abuses on the Welsh side. of the border must not be ignored, he said: “Grooming gangs have operated in Wales, in cities, in towns, and in rural areas. There are victims, perpetrators, and those who could have done more to protect people. Serious questions need answering. People need to be held to account. And victims deserve justice.”
A spokesperson for Welsh Women’s Aid said: “Whilst the first set of local investigations are all in England, the [inquiry] is yet to announce further locations. We hope that survivors in Wales will have the chance to feed into these future local inquiries and have their stories heard.”
A spokesperson for the inquiry said further local investigations “will be announced in the coming weeks and months as the inquiry progresses”, adding: “This is a national inquiry and evidence from across England and Wales will inform its findings and recommendations. Victims and survivors can share their experiences with the inquiry regardless of where they live.”
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We are committed to strengthening safeguarding arrangements and protecting children and young people in Wales from the horrific crimes of exploitation and sexual abuse. We have been engaging fully with the independent inquiry and ensuring the Welsh context is properly reflected, with survivors at the heart of the process.”
