Groomed, Ignored, Betrayed: How the British State Abandoned Its Daughters

The long-overdue moral reckoning about the grooming gang scandal finally took centre stage in a specially extended program on BBC Newsnight. Brave survivors shared their harrowing testimonies about the horrific abuse they endured at the hands of these gangs. These individuals groomed and raped young girls and teenagers, leaving deep scars that persist to this day.

The recent data collected by the National Police Chiefs’ Council reveals alarming insights into grooming gangs in England and Wales, showing that a disproportionate number of suspects identified in 2024 were British Pakistanis, who operated with alarming audacity in plain sight within communities across the UK. Towns and cities like Rotherham, Telford, Bradford, High Wycombe, and Manchester became the backdrop for these crimes, which unfolded over more than fifteen years during the late 1990s and into the 2000s.

The sheer scale of this vicious crime has shattered the lives of thousands of victims, each with their own distressing story of betrayal and trauma. Unfortunately, a significant part of the discourse surrounding this scandal has been influenced by left-leaning politics and mainstream media outlets. Many have criticized the way this issue has been racially politicized, focusing excessively on downplaying the backgrounds of the criminals rather than confronting the grave nature of their actions against innocent young girls. This misguided approach shifts attention away from the urgent need for justice and support for the victims who continue to suffer in silence.

Each time the conversation surrounding the grooming gang scandal resurfaces, it inevitably descends into a cycle marked by an initial silence followed by a flurry of accusations, public apologies, justifications, and ultimately, resolute denials.

These discussions capture significant national and international attention, yet they often result in nothing more than empty promises to pursue justice for the victims. Throughout this tumultuous period, the individuals who suffered at the hands of grooming gangs continue to endure their pain, often feeling as though their pleas for justice are drowning in a sea of indifference.

A striking illustration of this ongoing tragedy was presented in the haunting Channel 4 documentary titled “Groomed: A National Scandal”. This powerful film chronicles the harrowing experiences of five young women who suffered grievously over more than two decades, largely due to systemic failures within the police and social services that were meant to protect them. The documentary sheds light on the shocking reality of how these institutions repeatedly overlooked or downplayed the abuse, allowing it to flourish.

The documentary also reveals how the majority of the perpetrators were of Pakistani descent, a factor that contributed to a reluctance to address the issue openly and decisively. This troubling dynamic not only perpetuated the abuse but also left countless victims feeling abandoned and without hope.

These young women, who were teenage girls at the time, told us their terrifying stories of being horribly called "child prostitutes". This label not only stripped them of their dignity but also perpetuated the stigma surrounding their experiences, making it even more challenging for them to seek justice and healing.