Campaigner calls for new inquiry

A SURVIVOR of child sex abuse has criticised the Government for voting down a new national inquiry into grooming gangs.

Emma-Jane Taylor, 52, from Henley, described the decision as “another example of disregard for victims”.

She said: “Any spotlight on this topic brings us a step forward and helps society recognise and acknowledge that there is a problem.

“Grooming gangs are just one aspect of the trauma and horror that children go through every day. We should also make it clear that the sexual abuse of children is not limited to gangs.

“There is an entire world of victims struggling today. Many don’t speak out and many are afraid if they do, they will get shut down. Intimidation is a huge factor in how survivors of child sexual abuse have lived.

“The focus is all wrong — make it about the child, the victim, and not the perpetrators.” Ms Taylor believes a future public inquiry could be pivotal for awareness and understanding of the reality of child abuse.

She added: “Inquiries and resultant positive change need to start now to prevent abuse at its core and support survivors already abused. Not having an inquiry is another example of disregard for victims.”

An attempt by the Conservatives to force the Labour government to set up a new national inquiry into grooming gangs was voted down by 364 to 111 votes.

The amendment was attached to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which would have been shelved had the vote passed.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch argued that the government risked fuelling accusations of “a cover up” by refusing an inquiry.

But Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer argued that several inquiries had already been held into abuse carried out by gangs of men and a new probe would only delay the action the victims wanted. Liberal Democrat MPs abstained from the vote.

The amendment was largely symbolic, as the size of Labour's majority meant it was never likely to pass. The children’s bill will bring safeguards for home-educated children and give powers to councils and local authorities to keep track of and protect vulnerable children.

Ms Taylor founded the Project 90/10 charity in 2023, which aims to educate, raise awareness and protect children by providing educational packs in schools.

The packs include a dongle and flashcards with information for children, parents and educators about permission, awareness, communication and knowledge about child sex assault.

Ms Taylor also began the #Not MyShame movement which spread worldwide on social media after she posted “Being abused as a child was not my shame…”

Thames Valley Police and Oxfordshire County Council launched a joint investigation into suspected sexual offences in Oxford called Operation Bullfinch in 2011. A group of 22 men was convicted for various offences between 1998 and 2012.

A briefing from Thames Valley Police to partners regarding the debate over a new national inquiry said there had been improvements locally in the last 10 years.

It said: “The way Thames Valley Police identifies and responds to child sexual exploitation is notably different to the times covered by Operation Bullfinch, with improved understanding, partnership working and information shared to identify risks, patterns and underlying concerns as early as possible and to ensure the right agency responds to achieve the right result.

“The subsequent independent serious case review highlights important areas of learning for organisations across Oxfordshire and all recommendations for Thames Valley Police were taken seriously and implemented.

“The nature of the child sexual exploitation offence has changed over the last 10 years and group-based offending now makes up five per cent of child sexual exploitation offences in the Thames Valley, which is in line with the group rate of offending nationally with a dedicated major crime team focusing on processing these investigations.

“Multi-agency safeguarding hubs now operate across the Thames Valley, staffed by members of the police, local authority and health services with dedicated multi-agency exploitation referral teams set within these hubs.

“Individuals at risk are flagged and reviewed and the collaborative nature of the team ensures information is shared and patterns of scenes are identified at the earliest possible opportunity. There are now more police officers and detectives working in child abuse investigations and the management of sexual offenders and the new dedicated team monitors all investigations into missing persons and identifies patterns or underlying issues.

“Advances in technology over the last 10 years have dramatically improved our ability to analyse data, to identify risks and fees and also to simplify information shared between agencies.”

David Orpwood, who chairs the South and Vale Independent Advisory Group, praised the efforts of the force.

He said: “No one in Thames Valley Police or any other agency is turning a blind eye to this. Thames Valley Police are attacking this without fear or favour, throwing resources at it as required. There are 400 people including officers involved in trying to monitor this and also safeguarding the young women and girls, and they will continue to do so.

“I will continue to monitor it and they have my full support in what they’re doing. I think their actions against violence against women and girls are fantastic and I think that they’re an example of how all forces should do it.”