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Rochdale grooming: 'Shocking' failure over sex abuse Rochdale grooming: 'Shocking' failure over sex abuse
(35 minutes later)
A "shocking" inability to protect six vulnerable young girls from sexual exploitation has been found by a report into the Rochdale grooming case.A "shocking" inability to protect six vulnerable young girls from sexual exploitation has been found by a report into the Rochdale grooming case.
A serious case review by the Rochdale Safeguarding Children Board highlighted failures by 17 agencies who were meant to protect them.A serious case review by the Rochdale Safeguarding Children Board highlighted failures by 17 agencies who were meant to protect them.
Police and social workers failed the girls who were "passed around for sex" by a gang of men, it said.Police and social workers failed the girls who were "passed around for sex" by a gang of men, it said.
The review recommended "speedy resolution" to leadership failures.The review recommended "speedy resolution" to leadership failures.
'Failure of protection''Failure of protection'
"The report paints a shocking picture of the inability of these agencies to protect these young people successfully," said Jane Booth, chair of the safeguarding board."The report paints a shocking picture of the inability of these agencies to protect these young people successfully," said Jane Booth, chair of the safeguarding board.
Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk (Labour) said the report had "vindicated" his concerns about the way police dealt with the victims. But he said it was time to stop "endless inquiries and get on with the important work of change".Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk (Labour) said the report had "vindicated" his concerns about the way police dealt with the victims. But he said it was time to stop "endless inquiries and get on with the important work of change".
The serious case review looked at six girls who suffered child sexual exploitation which centred on Heywood in Rochdale borough between 2007 and 2010.The serious case review looked at six girls who suffered child sexual exploitation which centred on Heywood in Rochdale borough between 2007 and 2010.
Nine men from Rochdale and Oldham were sentenced for up to 19 years in prison in May 2012 after being convicted of offences including rape.Nine men from Rochdale and Oldham were sentenced for up to 19 years in prison in May 2012 after being convicted of offences including rape.
'Sense of reassurance'
Five of the girls "clearly" needed early help for several years, and intervention by the safeguarding agencies to protect them from highly damaging experiences, the report found.Five of the girls "clearly" needed early help for several years, and intervention by the safeguarding agencies to protect them from highly damaging experiences, the report found.
Nazil Afzal, chief prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service in the North West, whose office dropped the grooming case initially in 2009, said: "I absolutely accept that things didn't go well for us and other agencies, but people can feel some sense of reassurance that we are now bringing more cases to court."Nazil Afzal, chief prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service in the North West, whose office dropped the grooming case initially in 2009, said: "I absolutely accept that things didn't go well for us and other agencies, but people can feel some sense of reassurance that we are now bringing more cases to court."
Social workers were criticised for focussing on young people's high-risk behaviour and "not their vulnerability". There was little information sharing and poor communication between agencies, the review found, which undermined the system's ability to protect the girls.Social workers were criticised for focussing on young people's high-risk behaviour and "not their vulnerability". There was little information sharing and poor communication between agencies, the review found, which undermined the system's ability to protect the girls.
Responding to the report, Sir Peter Fahy, chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, said all involved "lost sight of the process" and just filled forms in.Responding to the report, Sir Peter Fahy, chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, said all involved "lost sight of the process" and just filled forms in.
'Did not listen''Did not listen'
Numerous opportunities to intervene were missed and only two girls received child protection planning, the review found. Parents felt agencies "failed to work together", did not listen or keep them informed.Numerous opportunities to intervene were missed and only two girls received child protection planning, the review found. Parents felt agencies "failed to work together", did not listen or keep them informed.
One father called Children's Social Care (CSC) up to 50 times reporting his daughter's "uncontrollable drinking, running away and difficult behaviour".One father called Children's Social Care (CSC) up to 50 times reporting his daughter's "uncontrollable drinking, running away and difficult behaviour".
Social workers told him she was "a child prostitute", and he accepted this "because he did not know that it was wrong", the review said.Social workers told him she was "a child prostitute", and he accepted this "because he did not know that it was wrong", the review said.
A June 2008 report to Rochdale safeguarding children board identified 50 children at risk of sexual exploitation. Agencies "often failed to understand" the degree of exploitation even when child protection procedures started.A June 2008 report to Rochdale safeguarding children board identified 50 children at risk of sexual exploitation. Agencies "often failed to understand" the degree of exploitation even when child protection procedures started.