Misplaced Pages

Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from[REDACTED] with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 06:55, 30 June 2014 editAmritasyaPutra (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users5,667 edits Reverted 1 edit by Mkkamran (talk): Not in reference. (TW)← Previous edit Revision as of 11:29, 4 July 2014 edit undoOhconfucius (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers328,951 editsm Script-assisted fixes per WP:TIES, MOS:NUM, MOS:LINK, CS1, Template:Citation and MOS:ITALICSNext edit →
Line 1: Line 1:
{{EngvarB|date=July 2014}}
⚫ The '''] sex grooming''' was a series of sexual offences against girls as young as twelve by five ] men who were convicted and jailed in November 2010.<ref name=BBCconvicted>{{cite news|title=Five Rotherham men jailed for child sex offences|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-11696508|publisher=BBC | date=4 November 2010}}</ref> The men fostered relationships with teenage girls and had sex with them in cars and parks in ].<ref name=BBCconvicted/> A investigation by '']'' reported that the child sex exploitation was much more widespread and the ] criticized the ] force and ] for their handling of the abuse.
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
⚫ The '''] sex grooming''' was a series of sexual offences against girls as young as twelve by five ] men who were convicted and jailed in November 2010.<ref name=BBCconvicted>{{cite news|title=Five Rotherham men jailed for child sex offences|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-11696508|publisher=BBC | date=4 November 2010}}</ref> The men fostered relationships with teenage girls and had sex with them in cars and parks in ].<ref name=BBCconvicted/> A investigation by '']'' reported that the child sex exploitation was much more widespread and the ] criticised the ] force and ] for their handling of the abuse.


==Trial== ==Trial==
Line 22: Line 24:
==''The Times'' investigation== ==''The Times'' investigation==


In September 2012, a series of investigations by '']'' based on confidential police and social services documents, stated that the abuse had been much more widespread than acknowledged.<ref name=BBCTimes>{{cite news|title=South Yorkshire Police deny hiding girls' sex abuse|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-19701760|newspaper=BBC | date=24 September 2012}}</ref><ref name=BBCpolice/> It said that there was systematic abuse of white girls by some Asian men (mostly of Pakistani origin)<ref>{{cite news|title=MPs seek hidden files on Rotherham sex-grooming|url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/article3651718.ece|accessdate=9 February 2013|newspaper=The Times|date=9 January 2013}}</ref> in Rotherham for which people were not being prosecuted.<ref name=BBCsorry/><ref name="Timesreport">{{cite web | url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/crime/article3547661.ece | title=Police files reveal vast child protection scandal | publisher=The Times | accessdate=January 23, 2013}}</ref> In September 2012, a series of investigations by '']'' based on confidential police and social services documents, stated that the abuse had been much more widespread than acknowledged.<ref name=BBCTimes>{{cite news|title=South Yorkshire Police deny hiding girls' sex abuse|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-19701760|publisher=BBC | date=24 September 2012}}</ref><ref name=BBCpolice/> It said that there was systematic abuse of white girls by some Asian men (mostly of Pakistani origin)<ref>{{cite news|title=MPs seek hidden files on Rotherham sex-grooming|url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/article3651718.ece|accessdate=9 February 2013|newspaper=The Times|date=9 January 2013}}</ref> in Rotherham for which people were not being prosecuted.<ref name=BBCsorry/><ref name="Timesreport">{{cite web | url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/crime/article3547661.ece | title=Police files reveal vast child protection scandal | work=The Times | accessdate=23 January 2013}}</ref>


The newspaper cited a 2010 report by the police intelligence bureau which discussed "a problem with networks of Asian offenders both locally and nationally" which was "particularly stressed in Sheffield and even more so in Rotherham, where there appears to be a significant problem with networks of Asian males exploiting young white females.<ref name="Timesreport"/><ref name=BBCpolice>{{cite news|title=South Yorkshire Police 'must get a grip' on child abuse|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-19966721|newspaper=BBC | date=16 October 2012}}</ref> It also referred to a document from the Rotherham Safeguarding Children Board that stated that the "crimes had 'cultural characteristics...which are locally sensitive in terms of diversity'".<ref name="Timesreport"/> The newspaper cited a 2010 report by the police intelligence bureau which discussed "a problem with networks of Asian offenders both locally and nationally" which was "particularly stressed in Sheffield and even more so in Rotherham, where there appears to be a significant problem with networks of Asian males exploiting young white females.<ref name="Timesreport"/><ref name=BBCpolice>{{cite news|title=South Yorkshire Police 'must get a grip' on child abuse|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-19966721|publisher=BBC | date=16 October 2012}}</ref> It also referred to a document from the Rotherham Safeguarding Children Board that stated that the "crimes had 'cultural characteristics...which are locally sensitive in terms of diversity'".<ref name="Timesreport"/>


The South Yorkshire Police denied these accusations saying that ''The Times'' was wrong, and that to suggest the police force was deliberately withholding information was "a gross distortion and unfair on the teams of dedicated specialists working to tackle the problem."<ref name=BBCTimes/> The South Yorkshire Police denied these accusations saying that ''The Times'' was wrong, and that to suggest the police force was deliberately withholding information was "a gross distortion and unfair on the teams of dedicated specialists working to tackle the problem."<ref name=BBCTimes/>
Line 30: Line 32:
===Reaction=== ===Reaction===


The Rotherham MP, ], criticized the police force for concealing the extent of the abuse, saying "it is clear that the internal trafficking of barely pubescent girls is much more widespread and I regret that the police did not tell Yorkshire MPs about their inquiries."<ref name=BBCTimes/> The Rotherham MP, ], criticised the police force for concealing the extent of the abuse, saying "it is clear that the internal trafficking of barely pubescent girls is much more widespread and I regret that the police did not tell Yorkshire MPs about their inquiries."<ref name=BBCTimes/>


] called for mosque leaders in South Yorkshire to highlight the problem of sex exploitation.<ref name=BBCahmed>{{cite news|title=Lord Ahmed calls on mosques 'to speak' about sex abuse|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-19755119|publisher=BBC | date=28 September 2012}}</ref> He said this issue was a "new phenomenon within the Asian community" and that "it's important that the community, rather than going silent... talk about it."<ref name=BBCahmed/> Muhbeen Hussain, founder of Rotherham Muslim Youth group, said all communities denounced the exploitation and that "we need Muslim leaders to go out there and condemn this and make it clear it's wrong."<ref name=BBCahmed/> The chairman of the Pakistan and Muslim Centre in Sheffield, Mohammed Ali said the South Yorkshire mosques, the imams and the committee members had discussed this situation that "needs to be tackled."<ref name=BBCahmed/> ] called for mosque leaders in South Yorkshire to highlight the problem of sex exploitation.<ref name=BBCahmed>{{cite news|title=Lord Ahmed calls on mosques 'to speak' about sex abuse|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-19755119|publisher=BBC | date=28 September 2012}}</ref> He said this issue was a "new phenomenon within the Asian community" and that "it's important that the community, rather than going silent... talk about it."<ref name=BBCahmed/> Muhbeen Hussain, founder of Rotherham Muslim Youth group, said all communities denounced the exploitation and that "we need Muslim leaders to go out there and condemn this and make it clear it's wrong."<ref name=BBCahmed/> The chairman of the Pakistan and Muslim Centre in Sheffield, Mohammed Ali said the South Yorkshire mosques, the imams and the committee members had discussed this situation that "needs to be tackled."<ref name=BBCahmed/>


==Rotherham council report== ==Rotherham council report==


In November 2012, the Rotherham council identified 58 possible victims of sexual exploitation.<ref name=BBCreport>{{cite news|title=Rotherham sex abuse: More girls at risk|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-20423789|newspaper=BBC | date=21 November 2012}}</ref> The director of children and young people's services attributed the rise from 50 of last year to an increased public awareness.<ref name=BBCreport/> A national report by the Office of Children's Commissioner, also published in November, found that thousands of children were sexually abused by gangs in England each year.<ref name=BBCreport/> In November 2012, the Rotherham council identified 58 possible victims of sexual exploitation.<ref name=BBCreport>{{cite news|title=Rotherham sex abuse: More girls at risk|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-20423789|publisher=BBC | date=21 November 2012}}</ref> The director of children and young people's services attributed the rise from 50 of last year to an increased public awareness.<ref name=BBCreport/> A national report by the Office of Children's Commissioner, also published in November, found that thousands of children were sexually abused by gangs in England each year.<ref name=BBCreport/>


==Home Affairs Select Committee== ==Home Affairs Select Committee==


In October 2012, the ] criticized South Yorkshire's chief constable, David Compton, and one of its top officers, Philip Etheridge, for their handling of child sex abuse.<ref name=BBCpolice/> The committee heard evidence of three members of a family that were connected with the abuse of 61 girls but were not convicted, and of a similarly unconvicted 22-year-old man who was found in a car with a 12-year-old girl with indecent images of her on his phone.<ref name=BBCpolice/> David Compton said that "ethnic origin" was not a factor in deciding whether to charge suspects.<ref name=BBCpolice/> The committee said that they were very concerned, as was the public.<ref name=BBCpolice/> In October 2012, the ] criticised South Yorkshire's chief constable, David Compton, and one of its top officers, Philip Etheridge, for their handling of child sex abuse.<ref name=BBCpolice/> The committee heard evidence of three members of a family that were connected with the abuse of 61 girls but were not convicted, and of a similarly unconvicted 22-year-old man who was found in a car with a 12-year-old girl with indecent images of her on his phone.<ref name=BBCpolice/> David Compton said that "ethnic origin" was not a factor in deciding whether to charge suspects.<ref name=BBCpolice/> The committee said that they were very concerned, as was the public.<ref name=BBCpolice/>


In January 2013, the head of Rotherham council, Martin Kimber, was summoned in front of the ] to explain the lack of arrests for sexual exploitation, despite South Yorkshire Police saying it was conducting several investigations and the local authority having identified 58 young girls at risk.<ref name=BBCsorry/> MP ] questioned why after the five Asian men were jailed in 2010, more was not being done: "In Lancashire there were 100 prosecutions the year before last, in South Yorkshire there were no prosecutions". The council apologised for its "systemic failure" that had "let down" the victims of child sexual exploitation.<ref name=BBCsorry>{{cite news|title=Rotherham council apologises to child grooming victims|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-20951491|publisher=BBC | date=8 January 2013}}</ref> In January 2013, the head of Rotherham council, Martin Kimber, was summoned in front of the ] to explain the lack of arrests for sexual exploitation, despite South Yorkshire Police saying it was conducting several investigations and the local council having identified 58 young girls at risk.<ref name=BBCsorry/> MP ] questioned why after the five Asian men were jailed in 2010, more was not being done: "In Lancashire there were 100 prosecutions the year before last, in South Yorkshire there were no prosecutions". The council apologised for its "systemic failure" that had "let down" the victims of child sexual exploitation.<ref name=BBCsorry>{{cite news|title=Rotherham council apologises to child grooming victims|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-20951491|publisher=BBC | date=8 January 2013}}</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
Line 52: Line 54:


==References== ==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{Reflist}}




Revision as of 11:29, 4 July 2014

The Rotherham sex grooming was a series of sexual offences against girls as young as twelve by five British-Pakistani men who were convicted and jailed in November 2010. The men fostered relationships with teenage girls and had sex with them in cars and parks in Rotherham. A investigation by The Times reported that the child sex exploitation was much more widespread and the Home Affairs Select Committee criticised the South Yorkshire Police force and Rotherham Council for their handling of the abuse.

Trial

The men were tried in Sheffield Crown Court and were told by the judge that, "the message must go out loud and clear that our society will not tolerate sexual predators preying on children." In addition to their sentences, all five were placed on the sex offenders register.

Name Conviction Sentence
Zafran Ramzan rape, 2 charges of sexual activity with a child 9 years
Razwan Razaq 2 charges of sexual activity with a child 11 years
Umar Razaq sexual activity with a child 4.5 years
Adil Hussain sexual activity with a child 4 years
Mohsin Khan sexual activity with a child 4 years

The Times investigation

In September 2012, a series of investigations by The Times based on confidential police and social services documents, stated that the abuse had been much more widespread than acknowledged. It said that there was systematic abuse of white girls by some Asian men (mostly of Pakistani origin) in Rotherham for which people were not being prosecuted.

The newspaper cited a 2010 report by the police intelligence bureau which discussed "a problem with networks of Asian offenders both locally and nationally" which was "particularly stressed in Sheffield and even more so in Rotherham, where there appears to be a significant problem with networks of Asian males exploiting young white females. It also referred to a document from the Rotherham Safeguarding Children Board that stated that the "crimes had 'cultural characteristics...which are locally sensitive in terms of diversity'".

The South Yorkshire Police denied these accusations saying that The Times was wrong, and that to suggest the police force was deliberately withholding information was "a gross distortion and unfair on the teams of dedicated specialists working to tackle the problem."

Reaction

The Rotherham MP, Denis MacShane, criticised the police force for concealing the extent of the abuse, saying "it is clear that the internal trafficking of barely pubescent girls is much more widespread and I regret that the police did not tell Yorkshire MPs about their inquiries."

Lord Ahmed called for mosque leaders in South Yorkshire to highlight the problem of sex exploitation. He said this issue was a "new phenomenon within the Asian community" and that "it's important that the community, rather than going silent... talk about it." Muhbeen Hussain, founder of Rotherham Muslim Youth group, said all communities denounced the exploitation and that "we need Muslim leaders to go out there and condemn this and make it clear it's wrong." The chairman of the Pakistan and Muslim Centre in Sheffield, Mohammed Ali said the South Yorkshire mosques, the imams and the committee members had discussed this situation that "needs to be tackled."

Rotherham council report

In November 2012, the Rotherham council identified 58 possible victims of sexual exploitation. The director of children and young people's services attributed the rise from 50 of last year to an increased public awareness. A national report by the Office of Children's Commissioner, also published in November, found that thousands of children were sexually abused by gangs in England each year.

Home Affairs Select Committee

In October 2012, the Home Affairs Select Committee criticised South Yorkshire's chief constable, David Compton, and one of its top officers, Philip Etheridge, for their handling of child sex abuse. The committee heard evidence of three members of a family that were connected with the abuse of 61 girls but were not convicted, and of a similarly unconvicted 22-year-old man who was found in a car with a 12-year-old girl with indecent images of her on his phone. David Compton 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.

In January 2013, the head of Rotherham council, Martin Kimber, was summoned in front of the Home Affairs Select Committee to explain the lack of arrests for sexual exploitation, despite South Yorkshire Police saying it was conducting several investigations and the local council having identified 58 young girls at risk. MP Keith Vaz questioned why after the five Asian men were jailed in 2010, more was not being done: "In Lancashire there were 100 prosecutions the year before last, in South Yorkshire there were no prosecutions". The council apologised for its "systemic failure" that had "let down" the victims of child sexual exploitation.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Five Rotherham men jailed for child sex offences". BBC. 4 November 2010.
  2. "Five guilty of grooming teenage girls for sex". London: Independent. 5 November 2010.
  3. ^ "South Yorkshire Police deny hiding girls' sex abuse". BBC. 24 September 2012.
  4. ^ "South Yorkshire Police 'must get a grip' on child abuse". BBC. 16 October 2012.
  5. "MPs seek hidden files on Rotherham sex-grooming". The Times. 9 January 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  6. ^ "Rotherham council apologises to child grooming victims". BBC. 8 January 2013.
  7. ^ "Police files reveal vast child protection scandal". The Times. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  8. ^ "Lord Ahmed calls on mosques 'to speak' about sex abuse". BBC. 28 September 2012.
  9. ^ "Rotherham sex abuse: More girls at risk". BBC. 21 November 2012.
Categories:
Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal: Difference between revisions Add topic