Sunseeker, I agree with your comments about the child and the way teenage girls try to look and often act, older than they are. But you are right, they are emotionally 13 year olds. It's up to the adults around them to help them understand that some adults will exploit them. Just a comment about how difficult it is for social workers or parents to protect their children from sexual abuse. I' supported a group for mothers of sexually abused children when working. It was harrowing. Most of the children were abused by their father's, or step fathers, without mother having any knowledge of this until the child told someone. Some mother's were fortunate, their children had the confidence to tell them about dad - often a separated dad. The mother's then risk being accused of false allegations in disputed custody/contact cases. I'm aware of children who've been abused by trusted family friends, think Stuart Hall for example and were unable to say anything until they were adults. I am not disputing that some chaotic mother's don't do enough to protect their children, but the person responsible is the abuser, every time.
J08 - any child who has experienced sexual abuse has been groomed. Perpetrators often target children who have already been sexually abused. Perpetrators know these children are often "difficult", may take drugs/drink and act out sexually. This doesn't in any way justify any adult for re- abusing them.
When you have ann experienced CPS prosecuting Barrister describing a 13 year old victim as a predator, and a Judge following that lead, you get a flavour of just how difficult it is to protect children in this hideous area of child abuse.
The vast majority of criminal and civil lawyers and judges I've worked with have been child centred, and fully understood the complexities of the cases they have responsibility for. our adversarial approach to this area of work doesn't help anyone. the man in this case needs a risk assessment, that is absolutely clear from what little we know so far. I'm sure the police and social work teams, as well as family members are very distressed right now. Goodness only knows what further damage has been done to the 13 year old girl involved.
Thanks to everyone who is supporting the petition and expressing disgust