Claim: Authorities Failing as Birmingham Faces ‘Tsunami’ of Child Sex Abuse

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Liam Deacon

The UK’s second city, Birmingham, could “explode” in a “tsunami of child sexual exploitation” with ruthless men even using tasers on young girls to facilitate gang rape, a politician with knowledge of the area warned.

Conservative councillor Des Flood suggested that parents could have been kept in the dark about the dangers faced by their children.

“I am worried there is a tsunami of child sexual exploitation waiting to explode across this city,” the representative of the Bartley Green ward said, according to the Birmingham Mail.

His was criticizing Birmingham City Council’s handling of child sexual exploitation after West Midlands Police arrested a suspected gang member for three schoolgirl rapes. He was bailed on every occasion, however.

The Birmingham Mail claims that 14 suspected gang members had been arrested for alleged sex offences against under-age girls.

Mr. Flood continued: “Young people, especially girls, are being sexually exploited on a daily basis. Some of this sexual exploitation is clearly linked to gangs.

“Schools are a vital part of our eyes and ears in the local community, on the ground, to identify vulnerable young people, especially in terms of concerns about child sexual exploitation.

“I know of cases whereby local schools in our community have done their duty and referred serious cases of child sexual exploitation about pupils to children’s services.

“But these schools nor their parents and carers have been invited to multi-agency child sexual exploitation meetings.”

He told another Councilor that the situation was a “disgrace,” adding:

“Can you please ensure that no further child sexual exploitation meetings take place in this city which involve school pupils without the schools and, indeed, parents and carers invited to be an equal partner at the table?

“I still believe there is a serious failing in sharing information amongst agencies, especially with regards to children’s services.”

Councillor Flood also told the meeting he had heard from residents other appalling claims which had never been included in official children’s services reports.

“I know of reports where residents have reported that young girls have been tasered and gang-raped,” he said.

“This information appears to have been diluted and not shared in reports.

“I know of one young girl who has had three social workers within the space of two months, two within the same month.

“I believe there are serious gaps that need to be closed, that vulnerable young people in this city, especially girls, are falling through the gaps.

“Is there an institutionalized attitude in children’s services to keep a lid on sharing information and therefore diluting the seriousness of child sexual exploitation against vulnerable children in our city?”

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