A recent review has been conducted to investigate abuse by grooming gangs in England and Wales. The government tasked Baroness Casey with this audit to analyze existing data and evidence on group-based child sexual abuse. Here are some key findings and recommendations from the report:

Lack of reliable data

The report points out flaws in data collection, making it difficult to gauge the extent of the issue. The Complex and Organised Child Abuse Dataset identified around 700 recorded offenses of group-based child sexual exploitation in 2023, which is believed to be an underestimation due to under-reporting and inconsistent definitions.

Ethnicity of perpetrators

The report highlights a significant data gap regarding the ethnicity of perpetrators. While ethnicity is not recorded in two-thirds of cases, police data from certain areas show a disproportionate number of men from Asian backgrounds involved in group-based child sexual exploitation. The government plans to mandate the collection of ethnicity and nationality data for all cases of child sexual abuse and conduct further research into the cultural factors driving this issue.

National inquiry

Following the report's recommendation, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has agreed to a full national inquiry into child sexual exploitation. This decision comes after Baroness Casey's review and the unveiling of plans for five local inquiries. The national inquiry would be overseen by an Independent Commission with the power to compel witnesses and focus on cases of local service failures.

'See children as children'

The report suggests amending the law in England and Wales to ensure that adults who engage in sexual activity with a child under 16 are always charged with rape. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has pledged to implement this change and review criminal convictions of victims of child sexual exploitation.

Taxi licensing 'loophole'

Taxis have been identified as a potential risk for child sexual exploitation, with some areas having stricter licensing standards than others. The report calls for the closure of legal loopholes that allow drivers to operate in areas different from where they obtained their license. Efforts are underway to address this issue and enhance licensing standards.