The horrifying events surrounding over a decade and a half of neglect and failure to act by authorities in the South Yorkshire area, where more than 1,400 children are said to have been abused, remains in the headlines. We looked at the report by Professor Jay that brought to light the extent and severity of both the failings and the abuse last week. In light of what has happened, the police have announced an independent report in to their mishandling of the abuse scandal will now take place.
According to sources from The Guardian, South Yorkshire Police Chief David Compton has confirmed that a ‘fully independent investigation’ will take place in to the force’s mishandling of the Rotherham child abuse scandal. The announcement follows the Labour Party suspending several members after the Jay Report brought to light failures on the part of Councillors, senior local authority managers, and the police force.
It is estimated that around 1,400 minors as young as 11 were subjected to a horrifying litany of abuse between 1997 and 2013; yet despite reports of what was going on the issue was swept under the carpet for more than 16 years. You can read our full story in to the findings of the report here.
Given the extent and severity of the failings of the police force involved, the independent investigation is set to review the actions and failures of officers and councillors and take appropriate action where necessary. Chief Compton said:
“We must give victims the confidence to come forward in the knowledge that all agencies will listen, will act, provide appropriate support, and relentlessly pursue those who offend against our young people.”
Whilst the investigations is of course a welcome move there will always be the feeling that this is too little too late. The abuse which involved children being groomed, trafficked, abducted, beaten, intimidated, and raped by large numbers of organised groups was allowed to go unpunished and unimpeded for more than 16 years. The report confirms that frontline staff raised concerns which were muted by senior managers and the abuse was allowed to carry on.
This all could, and should, have been stopped a long time ago. Whilst a single child victim is bad enough, the fact that the failings allowed more than 1,400 children to be abused for more than decade and a half is truly shocking. The extent and severity of the neglect and failings really is hard to believe.