Oldham Survivor Demands Government Inquiry into Local Sex Abuse Cases

Oldham: A woman named Sophie is speaking out about her traumatic experiences. She was just 12 when she fell victim to a grooming gang. Back in 2006, she tried to report the abuse to the police, but they dismissed her. They told her to come back when she was “not drunk.”

Sadly, that led to her being picked up by two men who assaulted her. Sophie feels that the local authorities have failed her and others like her. A review in 2022 pointed out these failures, but she believes a local inquiry won’t bring the justice they need.

Oldham Council is now trying to set up its own investigation, but Sophie worries it won’t be thorough enough. She wants a government-led inquiry that can really dig deep and hold people accountable.

She’s been fighting to make her voice heard, but it’s been tough. Local inquiries often lead to recommendations that aren’t followed up. Sophie insists that survivors deserve to have their stories told and taken seriously.

Oldham Council leader Arooj Shah mentioned that they’re working with survivors to prepare for the inquiry. However, Sophie doubts the council has the resources to do a proper job. She’s also concerned that a national inquiry might overshadow the specific issues in Oldham, leaving survivors without the justice they seek.

It’s a complicated situation, and Sophie just wants to see real change happen for everyone who has suffered. She believes it’s time to stop being afraid to talk about these issues and start addressing them head-on.