In the wake of the significant and serious failings of local police forces and local authority workers that allowed more than 1,400 children to be abused over a period of 16 years, a probe in to ‘Institutional Political Correctness’ is now to be launched, sources from The Telegraph confirm.
The probe, ordered by Home Secretary Teresa May, is a response to the Jay Report that brought to light one of the worst child abuse scandals ever, where the failures of the authorities allowed a sustained period of abuse involving thousands of minors.
Children as young as 11 were subjected to years of abuse involving organised grooming, trafficking, abduction, violence, intimidation, and rape. The report confirms that many people were afraid to come forward or speak out because of the proportion of assailants who were described as ‘Asian’ by victims. Allegedly many of those who knew what was going on were afraid of being labelled racist if they were to speak out about the offences being committed.
Inquiries and investigations will be launched to review the handling of criminal allegations were ‘offending cultural sensitivity’ is a concern. The failure to take action in light of what has been labelled as ‘institutionalised political correctness’ may now pave the way for legislative changes which will force teachers and other professionals to mandatorily report suspicions or face prosecution themselves.
The report from The Telegraph goes on to discuss the concern that with mandatory reporting comes a sharp rise in the number of cases being reported; many of which end up being unjustified. Naturally there is a concern this could overwhelm the system and its effectiveness remains in question.
But given what has happened in the Rotherham child abuse scandal it is clear that changes need to made. Whilst individuals have been culpable in their failures to report and act on information about the abuse, it is equally as clear that the problem is grossly institutional as well.
Since the report the police have confirmed that a further 12 victims have come forward. The Jay Report made clear that the figure of 1,400 victims was an estimate and there remains the fear that the overall figure of victims involved could be far greater.