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Child sex exploitation 'social norm' in Greater Manchester Child sex exploitation 'social norm' in Greater Manchester
(about 2 hours later)
Child sexual exploitation has become a "social norm" within some areas of Greater Manchester, according to the author of a report ordered after the Rochdale grooming case.Child sexual exploitation has become a "social norm" within some areas of Greater Manchester, according to the author of a report ordered after the Rochdale grooming case.
It said girls in uniform were regularly stopped by men outside schools.It said girls in uniform were regularly stopped by men outside schools.
Inquiry chairwoman Ann Coffey MP said the "prevailing public attitude" blamed children, leading to 1,000 convictions from 13,000 cases over six years.Inquiry chairwoman Ann Coffey MP said the "prevailing public attitude" blamed children, leading to 1,000 convictions from 13,000 cases over six years.
She called for exploitation to be "declared a public health priority".She called for exploitation to be "declared a public health priority".
In her report - Real Voices - Ms Coffey said explicit music videos, sexting and selfies could be "fuelling the increased sexualisation of children".In her report - Real Voices - Ms Coffey said explicit music videos, sexting and selfies could be "fuelling the increased sexualisation of children".
'Children are children''Children are children'
The "normalisation of quasi-pornographic images... has given rise to new social norms and changed expectations of sexual entitlement," she said.The "normalisation of quasi-pornographic images... has given rise to new social norms and changed expectations of sexual entitlement," she said.
"We need to get across the key message that whatever young people wear and however sexualised they appear, they are still children and need our protection.""We need to get across the key message that whatever young people wear and however sexualised they appear, they are still children and need our protection."
During the inquiry, Stockport MP Ms Coffey spoke to young people who had been approached by men.During the inquiry, Stockport MP Ms Coffey spoke to young people who had been approached by men.
One told her: "I said: 'Can you not see I am a little girl? I am in my uniform'."One told her: "I said: 'Can you not see I am a little girl? I am in my uniform'."
Ms Coffey said: "It is an everyday occurrence for [some young girls], something they find deeply upsetting, that older men are approaching them on the street inviting them into cars and in some instances touching them."Ms Coffey said: "It is an everyday occurrence for [some young girls], something they find deeply upsetting, that older men are approaching them on the street inviting them into cars and in some instances touching them."
The girls told her: "Well it happens so often, so many men, what can the police do?"The girls told her: "Well it happens so often, so many men, what can the police do?"
"That indicates they are living in an environment where it is felt to be ok to go and touch, and harass, and pester girls in uniforms," added Ms Coffey. "That is what I mean by it being a new social norm."That indicates they are living in an environment where it is felt to be ok to go and touch, and harass, and pester girls in uniforms," added Ms Coffey. "That is what I mean by it being a new social norm.
"It completely horrified me, so unexpected.""It completely horrified me, so unexpected."
Report's main recommendations:
The report raises concerns about the number of children reported missing, with 14,712 recorded from January until 17 September and highlights worries child exploitation is being under-reported.The report raises concerns about the number of children reported missing, with 14,712 recorded from January until 17 September and highlights worries child exploitation is being under-reported.
It was commissioned by Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Tony Lloyd to assess the improvements in protecting youngsters after nine men were jailed in 2012 for running a child sex ring in Heywood and Rochdale.It was commissioned by Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Tony Lloyd to assess the improvements in protecting youngsters after nine men were jailed in 2012 for running a child sex ring in Heywood and Rochdale.
It found changes had been made, including a specialist team being set up by Greater Manchester Police (GMP).It found changes had been made, including a specialist team being set up by Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
"Progress has been made and changes are taking place... but the biggest changes needed are in culture and attitudes of us all," Ms Coffey said."Progress has been made and changes are taking place... but the biggest changes needed are in culture and attitudes of us all," Ms Coffey said.
She was "alarmed" the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) highlighted one girl who wore cropped tops and another being described as a "slag" by her father in cases that were declared No Further Action.She was "alarmed" the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) highlighted one girl who wore cropped tops and another being described as a "slag" by her father in cases that were declared No Further Action.
Multiple investigations
The report has recommended a review of all such cases in the past year to examine the reasons no action was taken and find "areas for learning and training".The report has recommended a review of all such cases in the past year to examine the reasons no action was taken and find "areas for learning and training".
Report's main recommendations:
Police, social workers, prosecutors and juries all carry attitudes around with them, Ms Coffey said in the report.Police, social workers, prosecutors and juries all carry attitudes around with them, Ms Coffey said in the report.
"This may reflect the difficulties of prosecuting these cases in court when prevailing public attitudes often still blame children and young people for their own sexual exploitation.""This may reflect the difficulties of prosecuting these cases in court when prevailing public attitudes often still blame children and young people for their own sexual exploitation."
GMP is investigating 260 cases of suspected child sexual exploitation. Of those, 174 have been recorded as crimes and 18 involve multiple suspects.GMP is investigating 260 cases of suspected child sexual exploitation. Of those, 174 have been recorded as crimes and 18 involve multiple suspects.
The report says young people are key to helping to tackle exploitation because police, the justice system and children's services "alone cannot succeed in protecting children".The report says young people are key to helping to tackle exploitation because police, the justice system and children's services "alone cannot succeed in protecting children".
It suggests there should be a show on a youth radio station to discuss issues surrounding exploitation.It suggests there should be a show on a youth radio station to discuss issues surrounding exploitation.
PCC Mr Lloyd said: "For too long their voices were ignored or, worse, dismissed by the system. This report starts to redress that balance."PCC Mr Lloyd said: "For too long their voices were ignored or, worse, dismissed by the system. This report starts to redress that balance."