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21/11/2012
Report Finds 'Thousands' Of Children Sexually Exploited By Gangs
Gangs and groups in England sexually abuse thousands of children each year, according to a report.
The Office of Children's Commissioner study says there were 2,409 victims in the 14 months to October 2011 - but the true number is likely to be far higher.
The report also identifies 16,500 children who were at "high risk of sexual exploitation" in 2010-11.
However, the government has privately questioned the report's methodology, describing parts of it as "hysterical".
The report's authors insisted their tone was "measured", and some of the most harrowing details of child abuse had been left out.
Deputy children's commissioner Sue Berelowitz said it was the most comprehensive study conducted of sexual abuse of children in England, and should be taken "very seriously."
The report, titled "I thought I was the only one - the only one in the world", sets out the findings from the first year of a two-year inquiry.
It is the first report to attempt to set out the scale of the sexual exploitation of children and young people.
It draws on figures for sexual abuse, young offending and child health from local authorities, police, health services, voluntary agencies and children and young people.
The authors list 13 risk factors they say may indicate that young people are subject to sexual exploitation and grooming. These include going missing, repeated sexually transmitted infections, misuse of drugs or alcohol, self-harm and other physical injuries.
Any child or young person displaying three or more of these signs is at "serious risk of sexual exploitation", says the report.
In an official statement, the Department for Education said it was committed to tackling child sexual exploitation and would study the findings - but an un-named government source privately raised concerns about the report's use of data, its headline figures and some of its language.
(H)
The Office of Children's Commissioner study says there were 2,409 victims in the 14 months to October 2011 - but the true number is likely to be far higher.
The report also identifies 16,500 children who were at "high risk of sexual exploitation" in 2010-11.
However, the government has privately questioned the report's methodology, describing parts of it as "hysterical".
The report's authors insisted their tone was "measured", and some of the most harrowing details of child abuse had been left out.
Deputy children's commissioner Sue Berelowitz said it was the most comprehensive study conducted of sexual abuse of children in England, and should be taken "very seriously."
The report, titled "I thought I was the only one - the only one in the world", sets out the findings from the first year of a two-year inquiry.
It is the first report to attempt to set out the scale of the sexual exploitation of children and young people.
It draws on figures for sexual abuse, young offending and child health from local authorities, police, health services, voluntary agencies and children and young people.
The authors list 13 risk factors they say may indicate that young people are subject to sexual exploitation and grooming. These include going missing, repeated sexually transmitted infections, misuse of drugs or alcohol, self-harm and other physical injuries.
Any child or young person displaying three or more of these signs is at "serious risk of sexual exploitation", says the report.
In an official statement, the Department for Education said it was committed to tackling child sexual exploitation and would study the findings - but an un-named government source privately raised concerns about the report's use of data, its headline figures and some of its language.
(H)
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10 June 2013
Agencies Failing Sexually Exploited Children
A group of MPs have warned that child sexual exploitation is a "large-scale nationwide problem". Following a number of high-profile trials, the Home Affairs Committee said that police forces, social services and the Crown Prosecution Service must bear responsibility for failings.
Agencies Failing Sexually Exploited Children
A group of MPs have warned that child sexual exploitation is a "large-scale nationwide problem". Following a number of high-profile trials, the Home Affairs Committee said that police forces, social services and the Crown Prosecution Service must bear responsibility for failings.
15 November 2004
Not enough is being done to convict paedophiles, says study
There has been little or no progress in bringing sex abusers to justice, or in providing adequate help for children who have been sexually abused, since the mid-90s, according to a hard-hitting report published today.
Not enough is being done to convict paedophiles, says study
There has been little or no progress in bringing sex abusers to justice, or in providing adequate help for children who have been sexually abused, since the mid-90s, according to a hard-hitting report published today.
01 December 2014
Man Jailed For Life For Sexually Abusing Children
A paedophile, who was a former car home manager, has been jailed for life for sexually assaulting children. John Allen, 73, subjected youngsters to sexual and violent abuse for decades. He was sentenced at Mold Crown Court after being convicted of 33 charges. He was cleared of two other serious assaults.
Man Jailed For Life For Sexually Abusing Children
A paedophile, who was a former car home manager, has been jailed for life for sexually assaulting children. John Allen, 73, subjected youngsters to sexual and violent abuse for decades. He was sentenced at Mold Crown Court after being convicted of 33 charges. He was cleared of two other serious assaults.
29 March 2011
Man Jailed For Sexually Assaulting Children
A man who sexually assaulted two young children in a fast-food restaurant has been jailed at Woolwich Crown Court. 23-year-old Simon Archer from Belvedere was given an indeterminate sentence for public protection. He will serve a minimum of seven years before he can be considered for parole. He will remain on the sex offenders register for life.
Man Jailed For Sexually Assaulting Children
A man who sexually assaulted two young children in a fast-food restaurant has been jailed at Woolwich Crown Court. 23-year-old Simon Archer from Belvedere was given an indeterminate sentence for public protection. He will serve a minimum of seven years before he can be considered for parole. He will remain on the sex offenders register for life.
23 October 2006
Think-tank calls for primary school education
Children should be taught about contraception in their last year of primary school, according to a think-tank. The Institute for Public Policy Research said that new research, due to be published next month, showed that British teenagers were the most sexually active in Europe and the third least likely to use a condom during underage sex.
Think-tank calls for primary school education
Children should be taught about contraception in their last year of primary school, according to a think-tank. The Institute for Public Policy Research said that new research, due to be published next month, showed that British teenagers were the most sexually active in Europe and the third least likely to use a condom during underage sex.
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