Oldham Council Leader Supports Inquiry into Grooming Gangs Failings
Arooj Shah welcomes government support for an inquiry into child exploitation in Oldham, aiming to give survivors a voice in the process
Oldham, UK, Grooming Gangs, Child Sexual Exploitation, Arooj Shah
Oldham: So, Arooj Shah, the council leader, is pretty excited about this new government inquiry into child sexual exploitation in the area. It’s about time, right?
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper just announced a £5 million package to fund inquiries into grooming gangs, including one for Oldham. This comes after the town hall’s earlier request for a government-led inquiry was turned down, which didn’t sit well with many folks.
The government is stepping up with a bunch of measures to tackle these historic cases of abuse. They’re even asking police to take another look at some cold cases. It’s a big deal.
Shah mentioned that the new review will be guided by Tom Crowther KC, who led a similar inquiry in Telford last year. This follows a previous report that said the local authority dropped the ball on protecting vulnerable kids, but many thought it didn’t cover enough ground.
In her statement, Shah said they’re all for any action that puts survivors at the forefront of these inquiries. She wants to make sure that the voices of those affected are heard loud and clear.
She’s also pleased that Baroness Casey will be looking into what drives this type of abuse. Shah pointed out that child sexual abuse happens across all races and religions, but it’s important to understand why certain patterns emerge among specific groups.
She stressed that this isn’t about being racist; it’s just common sense. The focus should be on the crimes and the people committing them. They belong behind bars, facing justice.