Rotherham MP Sarah Champion has called for a comprehensive national inquiry into the issue of grooming and exploitation, highlighting the need for systematic changes to prevent such crimes and ensure justice for victims. As a long-standing advocate for addressing child sexual exploitation (CSE), Champion’s renewed push underscores the urgency of tackling the issue at a national level.
Champion’s appeal follows years of high-profile cases, including the Rotherham scandal, where it emerged that more than 1,400 children had been exploited over a 16-year period. Despite significant awareness raised through investigations and reports, many believe there is still a lack of accountability and insufficient measures to address the root causes of such exploitation.
In a recent statement, Champion emphasized that the problem extends beyond individual towns or cities. “This isn’t just a Rotherham issue; it’s a nationwide crisis,” she said. “We owe it to victims and survivors to uncover the full scale of the problem and put in place robust protections.”
Champion is advocating for an independent inquiry similar to the one conducted for historical institutional abuse. Such an inquiry, she argues, would allow authorities to better understand the scale and systemic failures that have allowed grooming to persist. The MP stressed that the investigation must examine police forces, social services, and government bodies to determine where gaps exist and how they can be addressed.
The MP’s efforts come in the wake of ongoing reports of grooming-related crimes across the UK. Many campaigners believe that a lack of coordinated national oversight has allowed perpetrators to exploit systemic weaknesses. Champion has pointed out that some survivors feel abandoned by institutions that were meant to protect them, which has only deepened the trauma caused by such crimes.
Critics of past approaches to grooming scandals argue that investigations have often been too localized, failing to connect patterns and trends across regions. Champion believes that a unified inquiry would not only expose these patterns but also help develop consistent policies to protect vulnerable children nationwide.
In addition to calling for the inquiry, Champion has also emphasized the importance of funding support services for survivors. She notes that many victims of exploitation struggle to access mental health services and other forms of support due to a lack of resources. “Justice doesn’t end with convicting the perpetrators,” she said. “It includes helping survivors rebuild their lives.”
Champion’s call has resonated with many victims’ groups and campaigners, who have expressed hope that a national inquiry could bring long-overdue justice and systemic change. By shining a spotlight on this issue, Champion aims to ensure that no child in the UK is left unprotected and that survivors receive the justice and support they deserve.
The Rotherham MP’s determination serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing fight against child exploitation and the need for collective action to address it effectively.
