A survivor of grooming gangs urges the UK Government to initiate a national inquiry into the widespread abuse and its cover-up.
Oldham: A survivor of a horrific grooming gang is pushing the UK Government to start a national inquiry into the abuse. This brave woman, who goes by the pen name Gaia Cooper, shared her story in a podcast. She’s calling for action from Sir Keir Starmer, saying it’s time to face the truth.
She was just 14 when she was groomed and raped by multiple men back in 1999. It’s heartbreaking to hear her say, “We know how many people were killed in Grenfell. We know how many died at Hillsborough. But we don’t know how many survived this.” She believes this issue is everywhere in the country and needs serious attention.
Gaia pointed out that while reports like the Jay Report have been costly, they haven’t really provided the answers or solutions needed. In fact, a recent inquiry into child sexual abuse warned that the government must act quickly, but it didn’t specifically address grooming gangs.
There have been local reviews, but nothing on a national level that looks at the grooming issue as a whole. It’s frustrating because we keep hearing about abuse in places like Telford and Rotherham, but no one is connecting the dots.
Andy Burnham, the Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester, is also calling for a limited national inquiry. He’s pushing for a review that pulls together findings from local investigations. He believes it’s crucial to hold people accountable.
Jess Phillips, the safeguarding minister, has said she’s open to discussions with survivors. That’s a step in the right direction, but it’s still a long way to go. Gaia’s story is just one of many, and it’s clear that more needs to be done.
Her autobiography, “Modern Slave,” sheds light on her experiences. She even took her local authority to court for failing to protect her as a child in care. It’s shocking to think that she was treated like a criminal instead of a victim.
She was forced into a life of crime, committing offenses under threats of violence. It’s a sad reality that she felt like “white trash” to both her abusers and the authorities. It’s time for the government to listen and take action.
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