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| Operation Sanctuary review finds adult abuse 'extensive' | Operation Sanctuary review finds adult abuse 'extensive' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Vulnerable women are most likely being "extensively" abused across the UK and ministers need to urgently review sex exploitation laws, a report says. | Vulnerable women are most likely being "extensively" abused across the UK and ministers need to urgently review sex exploitation laws, a report says. |
| David Spicer led a review in the wake of Operation Sanctuary which saw 18 people jailed for the sexual abuse of young women groomed in Newcastle. | David Spicer led a review in the wake of Operation Sanctuary which saw 18 people jailed for the sexual abuse of young women groomed in Newcastle. |
| He said exploitation was not being recognised in adults. | He said exploitation was not being recognised in adults. |
| The operation identified about 700 victims in total across the Northumbria Police area, 108 in Newcastle. | The operation identified about 700 victims in total across the Northumbria Police area, 108 in Newcastle. |
| Replay: reaction to critical report into Newcastle grooming | |
| The government said it would "look carefully" at Mr Spicer's 33 recommendations, which also included a need for research into the cultural background of abusers, many of whom in the case of Sanctuary were from a "predominantly Asian or British Minority Ethnic culture or background". | The government said it would "look carefully" at Mr Spicer's 33 recommendations, which also included a need for research into the cultural background of abusers, many of whom in the case of Sanctuary were from a "predominantly Asian or British Minority Ethnic culture or background". |
| Mr Spicer, who carried out the serious case review for the Newcastle Safeguarding Adults and Children Boards, said it was clear "adults were being targeted, groomed and exploited" as well as children. | Mr Spicer, who carried out the serious case review for the Newcastle Safeguarding Adults and Children Boards, said it was clear "adults were being targeted, groomed and exploited" as well as children. |
| But he said authorities did not have the powers to intervene with adults to stop them "making bad choices" or forming "inappropriate relationships". | But he said authorities did not have the powers to intervene with adults to stop them "making bad choices" or forming "inappropriate relationships". |
| He said: "Vulnerability is not determined by age and it is likely that extensive abuse of vulnerable adults is taking place across the country unrecognised." | He said: "Vulnerability is not determined by age and it is likely that extensive abuse of vulnerable adults is taking place across the country unrecognised." |
| Operation Sanctuary started in 2014 after a 21-year-old woman with a learning disability told police she had been a victim of sexual exploitation over a long period. | Operation Sanctuary started in 2014 after a 21-year-old woman with a learning disability told police she had been a victim of sexual exploitation over a long period. |
| Further reports from two 19-year-old women "confirmed" sexual exploitation was a much larger problem in Newcastle "than previously recognised". | Further reports from two 19-year-old women "confirmed" sexual exploitation was a much larger problem in Newcastle "than previously recognised". |
| Mr Spicer said the operation had proved successful but it was only when Northumbria Police and other agencies like Newcastle City Council started looking for the issue they found it. | Mr Spicer said the operation had proved successful but it was only when Northumbria Police and other agencies like Newcastle City Council started looking for the issue they found it. |
| He also said the government needs to research the "profiles, motivations and cultural and background influences of perpetrators of sexual exploitation". | He also said the government needs to research the "profiles, motivations and cultural and background influences of perpetrators of sexual exploitation". |
| In the Newcastle case, most of the men were British-born but all came from Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Indian, Iraqi, Iranian or Turkish communities. | In the Newcastle case, most of the men were British-born but all came from Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Indian, Iraqi, Iranian or Turkish communities. |
| Think tank the Quillam Foundation, which focuses on counter-extremism, said 84% of the 264 offenders convicted of grooming between 2005 and 2017 were of south Asian heritage. | Think tank the Quillam Foundation, which focuses on counter-extremism, said 84% of the 264 offenders convicted of grooming between 2005 and 2017 were of south Asian heritage. |
| Pharmacist training | Pharmacist training |
| Mr Spicer said the perpetrator he spoke to "displayed no regret" and "spoke in a derogatory manner about a lack of morals in British girls". | Mr Spicer said the perpetrator he spoke to "displayed no regret" and "spoke in a derogatory manner about a lack of morals in British girls". |
| The report noted that there was no evidence that police and other agencies had been reluctant to investigate amid "misplaced" concerns over political correctness or allegations of racism. | The report noted that there was no evidence that police and other agencies had been reluctant to investigate amid "misplaced" concerns over political correctness or allegations of racism. |
| Mr Spicer also said confidentiality systems in sexual health services should be reviewed as a lack of information-sharing meant no-one spotted victims who went to multiple clinics. | Mr Spicer also said confidentiality systems in sexual health services should be reviewed as a lack of information-sharing meant no-one spotted victims who went to multiple clinics. |
| Medical professionals such as pharmacists should also be trained to spot signs of abuse, he said. | Medical professionals such as pharmacists should also be trained to spot signs of abuse, he said. |
| Mr Spicer was also critical of the ordeal of victims giving evidence in court saying several complained it caused "lasting serious mental health problems". | Mr Spicer was also critical of the ordeal of victims giving evidence in court saying several complained it caused "lasting serious mental health problems". |
| As well as reviewing the way victims are treated during trials, Mr Spicer also said the terminology of charges should be changed to avoid causing further distress. | As well as reviewing the way victims are treated during trials, Mr Spicer also said the terminology of charges should be changed to avoid causing further distress. |
| This was after victims complained the charge of "inciting prostitution" labelled them as prostitutes. | |
| 'Devastating impact' | |
| The report also looked at exploitation of boys and men but said it was "complex and hidden" and operated differently to female victims. | |
| Mr Spicer said: "The low incidence of identified cases is likely to be a significant under-representation of the abuse occurring." | |
| He also said it was not within the scope of his review to investigate Northumbria Police's £10,000 payment to a convicted child rapist who acted as an informant. | |
| A government spokesman said: "These are abhorrent crimes that have had a devastating impact on the lives of the victims involved." | A government spokesman said: "These are abhorrent crimes that have had a devastating impact on the lives of the victims involved." |
| Changing Lives, a charity which supports victims of sexual exploitation including 33 associated with Operation Sanctuary, praised the report | Changing Lives, a charity which supports victims of sexual exploitation including 33 associated with Operation Sanctuary, praised the report |
| Director Laura Seebohm said the trauma "cannot be underestimated" and she welcomed the recommendations for "national debate, review and guidance". | Director Laura Seebohm said the trauma "cannot be underestimated" and she welcomed the recommendations for "national debate, review and guidance". |
| Vida Morris of Newcastle's adults safeguarding board said she was "profoundly and deeply sorry for the emotional and physical trauma" the victims suffered. | Vida Morris of Newcastle's adults safeguarding board said she was "profoundly and deeply sorry for the emotional and physical trauma" the victims suffered. |
| She said the women had been "brave beyond belief" and thanks to them Newcastle was "without a doubt a safer place". | She said the women had been "brave beyond belief" and thanks to them Newcastle was "without a doubt a safer place". |
| Northumbria police and crime commissioner Vera Baird declined to be interviewed. | Northumbria police and crime commissioner Vera Baird declined to be interviewed. |