Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has promised that “political correctness” will not get in the way of framing gangs, as ministers pledged tougher punishments and new support for local forces to protect children from abuse.
Mr Sunak will travel to northern England on Monday to announce a new set of measures which the government says will protect young women and girls from sexual abuse, including ethnic data used to support police investigations. Will also see.
Part of the plan will see specialist officers help local police forces solve child sexual abuse investigations as part of a new gangs taskforce, as Mr Sunak warned that for too long “political correctness has held us back”. The evil criminals who prey on children have been stopped from being taken out. and young women”.
He vowed: “We will stop at nothing to eliminate these dangerous gangs.”
The government said the new task force would be led by the police and supported by the National Crime Agency, including officers who would have “extensive experience” of investigating grooming gangs.
The plan will also see ethnicity data used to help police investigate framing gangs, something ministers will argue is not the use of “cultural sensitivity” to prevent criminals from being caught. is done.
home Secretary Suella Braverman British-Pakistani men have been targeted on Sunday over concerns about grooming gangs, as they accused officers of “turning a blind eye” to signs of abuse for fear of being labeled “racist” or “radical”.
It came as it announced plans for a consultation on introducing a mandatory duty on professionals working with children to report concerns about sexual abuse.
Mr Sunak will also say that grooming gang members and leaders will see the toughest punishment possible with the introduction of new legislation that will make membership a more serious factor in sentencing.
justice secretary Dominic Raab said: “Grooming gangs are a scourge on our society and I want to send a clear message to anyone exploiting vulnerable children that they will face the full weight of the law.
“It builds on the wider action this Government has already taken to deliver tougher sentences, and the reforms introduced last week to the Victims and Prisoners Bill to keep the most dangerous offenders behind bars, ensure Ensure that victims get the necessary support at all times.”
The announcements come after an independent inquiry into child sexual abuse last year described child sexual abuse as an “epidemic, poisoning thousands of victims.”
A seven-year inquiry into institutional failings in England and Wales concluded that people in positions of trust should be compelled by law to report child sexual abuse.
Professor Alexis Jay, who chaired the inquiry, welcomed the announcements.
“The commitment to mandatory reporting is very encouraging, and I look forward to working with the government to ensure that its final report includes the full package of recommendations from the inquiry to better protect children from sexual abuse in the future be carried forward.”
The ministers have said they will also provide additional support to the NSPCC’s whistleblowing helpline.
Labor said it had long called for mandatory reporting, labeling the government’s response “disappointingly inadequate”.
shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper Said: “Ministers have known about the role of organized gangs in child abuse for years – yet when Labor demanded mandatory reporting and expanded police specialist teams almost a decade ago, they failed to act and Has since dragged his heel.
“Only 11 percent of child sexual abuse cases end with a charge – down from 32 percent seven years ago, and court delays have gotten worse with victims waiting years for justice.
“Short-term headlines are not enough. We need a comprehensive plan that listens to victims and victims and properly tackles child exploitation and abuse, including online, to keep children safe.
NSPCC chief executive Sir Peter Wanless welcomed the government’s announcement, but added that “criminals don’t just come from one background”.
He also said the plan would require “funding for services to help child victims recover and support for a justice system that is struggling to cope”.
She added: “Sexual predators will target the most vulnerable and accessible children in society and the focus must be on more than just race so that we do not create new blindspots that prevent victims from being identified.
“Improved data collection by law enforcement as part of the package of measures announced today will help ensure that all those working to protect children have a clear, evidence-based understanding of child sexual abuse and exploitation , so that it can be dealt with more effectively.”
Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner for England, also welcomed the plans, but urged the government to “pay the same attention to children coming to the UK who often face similar dangers”.
She said: “Any measure designed to make children safer, no matter their background or circumstances, is a positive step, so I am pleased to see a commitment to take forward the recommendations from the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse.” Has been
“This must go hand-in-hand with improving social care for children, placing children’s experiences and voices at the center of the system and ensuring they feel able to confide in the adults they trust to protect them. trust, who in turn will be supported to keep them. Safe. I look forward to seeing the full details of these proposals.”