ONE night in August 2008, a girl aged 15 kicked off in the Balti House Heywood, takeaway in Rochdale. She smashed up the counter in what looked like a simple act of vandalism. It was actually a cry for help by a victim of horrific sexual abuse.
A cry that fell on deaf ears.
Fast-forward almost 16 years, and the courage of this vulnerable schoolgirl in calling out the vile sex abuse she and other girls suffered at the hands of a grooming gang at the time cannot be overestimated.
The Crown Prosecution Service ruled her story was 'not credible' and no charges were brought. Two members of the grooming gang the gang's ringleaders Shabir Ahmed and Kabeer Hassan - were arrested and released on bail. When a proper investigation finally began, it ended with nine men being prosecuted and jailed in 2012.
Polite society struggled to comprehend the notion of an Asian grooming gang, plying vulnerable white girls with drink and sharing them with paedophiles across the north. But it was clear white girls were being specifically targeted by a gang of largely Pakistani-heritage men because, as the sentencing judge would tell them, the men's victims were "not of your community or religion".
What followed was a plethora of reviews and apologies from the authorities - some of them very reluctant - and more prosecutions which, to the cynic, was a showy act of shutting the barn door when the horse had already bolted.
Then, in 2017, the whole story erupted again following the broadcast of the BBC documentary The Betrayed Girls, which reported how NHS leaders in Rochdale had notified Greater Manchester Police and the council of dozens of cases of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) prior to 2008, but both agencies failed to protect the children.
Bu hikaye MEN on Sunday dergisinin January 21, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye MEN on Sunday dergisinin January 21, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
We are fragile but we cannot overreact-Pep
PEP Guardiola says that City cannot afford to overreact to their worst ever run under his management as they look to stay in touch with Premier League leaders Liverpool.
IT’S TOO EASY TO SCORE AGAINST US’
PEP Guardiola says City have multiple problems as opponents find it too easy to score against them.
Spurs man on the hole’ in City middle
JAMES Maddison has explained that he was able to exploit the lack of presence in City's midfield to score a goal that he has been working on all season.
Rubet! Amorim up for United challenge
RUBEN Amorim is relishing the 'huge responsibility' of taking United back to the top as the new head coach prepares to take charge for the first time at Ipswich.
'Ruthless' Ruben won't be all smiles as he gears up for first game at helm
\"I CAN be ruthless when I have to be,\" said Ruben Amorim on Friday afternoon.
Teenage star Chido on target once again
CHIDO Obi-Martin was again among the goals as United's Under-18s continued their stunning form and a new star emerged.
Tourist traps top visitor spend table
SEPARATED by the Pennines and nearly 100 miles, the historic city of York and the seaside resort of Blackpool are worlds apart in their appeal to tourists.
Wind farm expansion plan set to create new turbulence
Proposals would create biggest turbine development in England
Rail services may take 'three years to improve'
THE largest rail company in the North of England has warned that it will take up to three years before its services are up to scratch.
Thug forced kids to help in drug deals
A MAN who used 'vulnerable' children to help him deal drugs has been jailed.