
Survivors of child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Oldham called for ‘peace’ and asked the ‘far right to stop using this for their own agenda’ in statements shared at Oldham’s full council meeting on Monday evening (January 20).
The two statements by ‘survivors and their advocates’ described the ‘traumatising’ experience of the last few weeks, in the wake of a huge public backlash to Labour’s decision to reject a government-led inquiry into how the local authority and police responded to reports of grooming gangs in Oldham.
The statements declared the groups would ‘continue to fight’ for a national review but welcomed a ‘local Telford-style review’ as a ‘compromise’.
The responses came after Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced a series of measures to support the local review, including a £5m funding package for up to five reviews. Cooper also enlisted the help of Tom Crowther KC, who led the Telford review, widely considered one of the most effective inquiries into CSE in the UK.
The statement was read out by Oldham’s deputy mayor Eddie Moors at a full council meeting, while protestors from right-wing group Turning Point UK protested outside the Civic Centre, calling for ‘justice for victims of CSE’.
The first statement said: “The past few months have been very difficult for us since Oldham’s decision to run their own independent inquiry. In addition to this the last few weeks have been even more stressful, triggering and upsetting, having to watch the world’s media descend on our small town over such an emotive and extremely hurtful issue. …
“While we hoped for and continue to fight for a national inquiry, we appreciate they have come up with a compromise. While we’ll continue to fight for a victims-led national inquiry, for now we are satisfied that our voices are finally being heard.”
The statement went on to described the ‘extreme extra stress’ of the recent media treatment of the issue, which has caused a ‘decline in mental health’ for survivors and their family members.
It concluded: “We hope as a town now we can start on a new journey and let the ones doing the real work behind the scenes continue and try to bring some closure and answers to those desperately in need. We are hoping for and seeking a peaceful time while things unfold.”
The second statement, by survivors Emma and Samantha, who both agreed to be named, stated: “After much consideration, we are still not happy with the overall decision but are happy to continue with a local Telford inquiry.
“Going forward, we have multiple meetings with MPs and officials. We are currently in talks with numerous survivors and are currently in the process of setting up a survivors committee where survivors and only survivors have a voice. We’re also in the process of setting up a family support group, so families have equal support.
“Moving forward we hope the council remains transparent and politics are kept aside and the far right stop using this for our own agenda. … Please can members of the public remain respectful as this is solely about survivors and victims. Survivors are the start and heart of this inquiry.”