Yvette Cooper MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, said:
“This is an utterly devastating report, which shows how vulnerable children and young people in Rotherham were repeatedly abused and then betrayed and let down by the services that were supposed to protect them.
“Children as young 11 were subjected to years of violent sexual abuse because those who had a responsibility to look after them failed to listen and failed to act. Their bravery in coming forward to give evidence to this inquiry is truly admirable. We can only hope this will help to protect other children from abuse in the future.
“The report sets out how social services, the council and the police failed in basic responsibilities towards vulnerable children over many years. It is right that Roger Stone has stepped down as Leader of the Council and it is now vital that the Council moves forward by ensuring the report’s recommendations are acted upon swiftly.
“The emphasis on the importance of listening to victims and those who work most closely with them, collaboration between council and police services and strengthening the systems in place to identify and protect children at risk of abuse is a reminder that all local authorities and police services should regularly review their child protection system to ensure the same grave errors are not repeated.
“As Professor Jay points out, this is not just a historic problem. Nor should we believe this is a problem unique to Rotherham. Child sexual exploitation can take in place in any part of the country and we know there is continued institutional failure to listen to young victims or not to believe them because they are young and possibly troubled.
“That is why it is urgent that the Government gets the overarching inquiry into child abuse up and running. We need this to focus on gaps in the current child protection system, as well as historic child abuse. It has been delayed too long and needs to get moving as fast as possible to start listening to all those who have been let down by a system set up to protect them.”
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