Grooming gangs. Labour absolutely stink

I first became aware of child sexual exploitation of vulnerable children by men of large,y Pakistani Muslim heritage in 1998. The social workers involved that I knew were in the main anxious and pushing managers and the police to investigate. I could say more about that but ……..

What I will stress is that in various meetings, informal/formal discussions I met no-one saying we couldn’t investigate for fear of offending the Muslim community.

If those panels etc are afflicted by the same culture of shh we must be careful not to hurt the feelings of the men then they will be of no use to women and children, in the same way that many safeguarding organisatios nodded along with the previous safeguarding calamity.

Galaxy

I would say that sensitivity to the feelings of others is always always a disaster to women and girls. I think a policy based on that is exactly what may have influenced the practice of those social workers.

Which is why the new set of proposals include local Victims Panels, and "a child protection authority will be created to address one of the central recommendations of IICSA, as well asdoubling funding for national services which support adult survivors of child sexual abuse".
Phillips made clear funding will include "full independent local inquiries". (all from Hansard)

This article from 2017 explores what you discuss, Doodledog (its from Newcastle where there were not accusations of cover ups, but does deal with the realities)

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/grooming-gang-newcastle-asian-pakistani-bangladeshi-muslim-response-faith-leaders-operation-shelter-police-convictions-a7888946.html

I would say that sensitivity to the feelings of others is always always a disaster to women and girls. I think a policy based on that is exactly what may have influenced the practice of those social workers.

Exactly, Iam.

And the idea that exposing rape and grooming would lose Muslim support is outrageous. Do people who believe that know any Muslims? I don't know a single Muslim who would withdraw their vote from a party who exposed such behaviour, and find the casual stereotyping offensive.

Would those suggesting that political support from the Muslim community would be withdrawn because of prosecutions for such behaviour withdraw their own vote from a party who exposed white/Christian/older/heterosexual/insert other appropriate groups to which they belong? If not, why do you think that Muslims would do so, and more importantly what is it that makes you think like that?

Of course rapists and groomers should be exposed and prosecuted. That is a given. It is also the case that heavy-handed policing of part of a community can lead (rightly or wrongly) to accusations of discrimination and racism, so sensitive situations need to be handled with care. Not brushed under the carpet or shied away from, but consideration has to be given to community relations if investigators are to get public co-operation.

The Labour Party’s position on Isreal Palestine has lost the party swathes of support from the Muslim Community
The actions of Starmer and Nazir Afzal at the CPS ensured the first prosecutions of the men in those so called grooming gangs
But let’s not allow reality to get in the way of Outrage

glasshalffullagain

Does the OP assume those who support Labour also favour tip toeing around criminals and abusers?

Really?

I’m a Labour supporter.
You wouldn’t want to see inside my head where the ideas are of what I would do to these scum.

Where has op said that. Have I missed it?

Does the OP assume those who support Labour also favour tip toeing around criminals and abusers?

Really?

(Just to be clear I definitely do think btw that failures to properly investigate should be called out and inquiries should attempt to reveal them.)

Correct to typo above - inquiries not injuries

Wyllwow3 of course Conservatives slow response stinks too

It just so happens that it’s Labour in control now.

Hansard is word for word the sources material for all the articles in different newspapers as its a record of what was exactly said in the H of C.

We all rarely get the chance to go back and read the source of what is then cherry picked and we comment on the cherry picked. And the positive new measures outlined as well as the injuries.

We can then make up our own minds about issues at hand.

Can I just also point out that the Jay report came out in October 2022.
It did lead to some exposure of the coverups and slow action on the crimes, but since that report there have been calls for additional exposure of those alleged to have covered up/slowed down.

The Conservative government of the time did take action post Jay in setting up much more focussed police units but it did not respond in anyway to frequent calls for additional enquiries. Why doesn't that "stink" too?

Maggie Oliver is my go to for information on the grooming gangs, she is by far the most knowledgeable.

Do you understand how many organisations must have deep seated failings and an organisational culture that us unspeakable to allow that 'social worker' episode to happen. If you read the BBC story ( if that makes you happier) on that issue you can see that something drove her to go against her very real concerns about what was happening.

Wyllow3

I've given the reference to Hansard, where all that was said is perfectly clear to see. And available to journalists.

Thank you, I have also seen clips from the H of C’s debate.

Thanks Wyllow gor the Hansard link.
(Saves looking for it!)
👍

I have read it thanks very much. I support a national inquiry because of the failings across numerous areas, I don't believe you can invest in support for future victims without addressing the culture that led to this, and I disagree with the move to give local authorities an opt out. The rights of children and women frequently come second with the progressives, as we have seen before.

Yvette Cooper was on TV this morning trying to talk her way out of the mess. She looked embarrassed.

You’re wasting your breath Wyllow. People who write a thread with a title like this have no interest in the truth, they have already swallowed the ‘story’, wherever they have got it from. Even a contemporaneous report from Hansard of what was actually said in real time won’t convince them.

I fear you are wasting your time Wyllow, but fair play to you for trying.

Nobody is going to be reading a sensible and articulate article. They prefer to add to an already hideous situation by inflaming it.

I've given the reference to Hansard, where all that was said is perfectly clear to see. And available to journalists.

The only press that tells the truth is the one that the reader agrees with at that moment in time…

The Guardian is an unreliable source as frequently are the BBC, the disparaging of the press you don't agree with isn't particularly helpful.