Introduction: In a recent independent assurance review, Rochdale’s handling of child sexual exploitation cases between 2004 and 2013 has come under severe scrutiny. The report, led by child protection specialist Malcolm Newsam and former senior police officer Gary Ridgway, reveals massive failings by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Rochdale Council in addressing and protecting victims of sexual exploitation.
The Scale of the Problem: The independent review, covering the cases of 111 children, exposes that 74 of them fell victim to sexual exploitation. Shockingly, in 48 of these cases, there were “serious failures” to protect these vulnerable children. The report paints a grim picture of a system that left children “at the mercy of their abusers.”
Reactions and Reflections: Andy Burnham, who commissioned the review in 2017, expressed deep concern, acknowledging that the report is “hard to read.” Andy Burnham emphasised the need for a comprehensive and unflinching examination of the failures to bring about the necessary cultural change for child protection.
Harrowing Details: One distressing example highlighted in the report involves Greater Manchester Police secretly taking a 13-year-old girl’s aborted foetus for DNA tests, placing it in a freezer and forgetting about it. The lack of communication with the victim or her parents adds another layer of negligence.
Lack of Protection and Intimidation: The report exposes that, when cases reached court, GMP failed to protect victims from harassment and intimidation by their abusers. Shockingly, a victim known as Child 44 described being threatened with a gun, with the police response being a casual “lock your door.”
The Case of Amber: The report shares the disturbing story of a child victim named Amber, who was unjustly named as a co-conspirator in the sexual exploitation of other children. This false allegation led to her being nicknamed “the Honey Monster” and portrayed as a “teenage girl pimp” in the media, severely affecting her life.
Sara Rowbotham’s Struggle: Former sexual health worker Sara Rowbotham, who blew the whistle on the abuse in Rochdale, faced dismissal and disbelief from authorities when she tried to expose the truth. Rowbotham alleges that GMP and Rochdale Council delayed sharing information with the review team, attempting to conceal the extent of the failures.
Apologies and Promises: GMP’s Chief Constable Stephen Watson issued a public apology, expressing profound regret for the failure to protect victims. Watson promised a thorough review of 13 current GMP officers involved during the abuse, emphasising that “lessons have well and truly been learned.”
Conclusion: The Rochdale child abuse scandal highlights the urgent need for systemic change and accountability in child protection. As the community grapples with the shocking revelations, it is crucial to address the failures identified in the report and work towards ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable children in the future.
Go deeper on this story:
- Read the report and a list of its key findings here, or watch the press conference on YouTube.