Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse
Marilyn Hawes examines the latest damning report of widespread Child Sexual Abuse
The Report
The alarming Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) report makes for disturbing reading. It identifies "extensive failures" by councils and police, leaving victims treated as offenders while perpetrators go free. It also reveals that grooming gangs still sexually abusing children across country in "most degrading and destructive ways."
People may say; “we all thought it was decreasing?” Unfortunately, it is anything but doing so and those of us who work with young people have known this for a long time! It seems those in authority treat the lives of young people as disposable and cheap.
Where Do Gang Members Come From?
It would be wrong to think that only the youngsters from difficult homes or in residential care homes join gangs. This is purely a myth. Many “decent” youngsters, for whatever reason, find themselves tangled in this web. Even those at independent schools carry drugs. Not all children are coerced - some join willingly, attracted to the outlaw lifestyle.
Children willingly join gangs for many reasons;
• Belonging to a group can be a sense of family; • Money and status of being powerful; • Father deficit creates an emotional need; • Self-Protection; • Involved in drugs; • To stop being bullied; • Feeling respected and important; and • To intimidate
The Rewards
Youngsters who don’t even need money or food are tempted to accept a £10 note or a fast food meal, and that is the first step into the hideous, dark world of exploitation. This is a multi-million pound business model which is sadly working exceptionally well across the UK in every village, town and city. In fact he former children’s commissioner, Ann Longfield stated in 2019 that she believed there are a few gang members in EVERY school across the UK.
The "Hooks"
Some of these children act as “hooks” and are the same or similar age as the target victim. They are looking for “clean skins” - children who have never at any time likely been on the Police radar. 75% of youngsters arrested are “clean skins.” To avoid detection, gangs are now approaching “clean skins” with a good work ethic for weekend work to cut and wrap class A cocaine and Heroin in Airbnb’s These children are paid £200 cash on arrival and receive an additional £200 if they bring a friend who also gets £200. They may get cash bonuses through the day given lunch. When the lease is ended at the Airbnb they may receive up to £200 for thoroughly cleaning the premises.
THE HOOK - same or similar age as victim establishes initial contact lures victim in before passing on for abuse THE CO-ORDINATOR - responsible for logistics & transport , taxis , often also abuses THE PREDATOR – invariably has sexual interest in young girls and boys and often 3 times older than victims
What Can Be Done?
So what can be done? We can no longer be voiceless bystanders. All this happens in plain sight. We all should be more inquisitive, opening our eyes, ears, mouths, and minds and not be so naïve to think “ this cant or won’t happen in our school.” It happens anywhere.
I have just been asked to go into an all-girls school next week to sit with years 9,10 and 11, as staff have overheard tales of students receiving gifts from random people. This will no doubt be the onset of street grooming, from which the sexual exploitation begins
In the IICSA report, they urge the Dept of Education to ban semi-independent, and independent setting for youngsters aged 16 to 17 years of age. Perpetrators smell vulnerability and know exactly where to hang around, including leisure parks, railways, bus stations, parks, backs of schools and school gates, derelict shops, and garages.
If you are aware of a situation, call CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111 , they are an excellent charity and while they are not the Police they will take details and your anonymity is guaranteed.
I urge schools to contact Freedom from Abuse for training, on or offline. It is not easy for teachers to deliver education in this field, or about any form of abuse, sex education, relationships. Teachers are rightly limited as to what they can say and do not have the resources of lived stories to their disposal as we do.
Girls in Gangs
Although Child Sexual abuse (CSE) can be a standalone crime, the gangs involved in CSE also are part of the bigger network with County Lines and criminal child exploitation (CCE). The two are embedded. The gangs include 30% girls as members, many of whom are the subjects of brutal rape.
The youngster may be subjected to gang rape and passed around from one gang member to another and at the same time, being given alcohol and drugs. They then, in turn, are expected to become the next hook under penalty of death if they tell the police. They are also told that their family will be under threat. This is one reason why police hit a wall of silence. This is totally different to “sloppy” policing where evidence is not properly completed, nor is ethnicity part of the report. Clearly the police still fear being accused of racism. CSE and CCE has nothing to do with religion or race, it is about different ideas within cultures.
What is the Impact?
The emotional neglect and lack of supervision sometimes faced by children from affluent families are known as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). ACEs can affect brain development; and change how a young person’s body will respond to stress, both now in the future.
As with all abuse, ACEs have a lasting impact on an individual and the consequences of these adverse experiences can lead to long-term mental and physical health problems, as well as an increased likelihood of a sever outcome occurring such as substance misuse and addiction in adulthood.
Marilyn Hawes
Marilyn is the Founder of the charity Freedom From Abuse (https://freedom-abuse.org/) which provides support and resources to educate users on how to identify an abuser, report abuse and protect children in their care. A survivor of abuse herself, she was named as Inspirational Woman of the Year in 2017.