New statistics reveal alarming rates of child sexual abuse in the UK
Manchester: It’s pretty shocking to hear that two reports of child sexual abuse by grooming gangs are made to the police every single day. This has really raised eyebrows and sparked calls for a national inquiry.
Recent figures show that in 2023, there were 717 cases reported, and in just the first nine months of 2024, that number was 572. It’s a serious issue that needs attention.
Interestingly, the stats reveal that 63% of the suspects were white, while 13.7% were Pakistani. Considering British Pakistanis make up only 2.7% of the population, it’s a concerning statistic. But police are cautioning that ethnicity data is only available for a small number of cases.
This information came from the Hydrant programme, which was set up after a major inquiry into child sexual abuse led by Professor Alexis Jay. Unfortunately, her recommendations still haven’t been put into action.
There’s been a lot of back and forth within the Labour party about whether to push for a new national inquiry. Manchester’s mayor, Andy Burnham, believes that local reviews aren’t enough and a broader inquiry is necessary.
On the flip side, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy pointed out that victims have already waited far too long for justice. She emphasized that the system has often failed to protect those who need it most.
Meanwhile, No10 has denied any claims that PM Sir Keir Starmer is hesitating on blocking a national inquiry. It’s a tough situation, and many are hoping for some real change soon.
