Social workers and police in Rochdale came under fire on Thursday after a report revealed “missed opportunities” to stop the grooming of young girls in a shocking case which saw nine men convicted earlier this year.
The review from Rochdale Borough Safeguarding Children Board (RBSC) found there were “missed opportunities” to respond to claims being made by the girls, and to prosecute those responsible.
Nine men were jailed in May for offences including rape against girls aged between 13 and 15 for sex. A court heard how they were given food, alcohol and money in return, but also faced violence.
“While some organisations were consistently supportive in their response, overall child welfare organisations missed opportunities to provide a comprehensive, co-ordinated and timely response and, in addition, the criminal justice system missed opportunities to bring the perpetrators to justice,” the report said.
Rochdale Council insists it has used the findings to strengthen child care services.
But the report was criticised by Rochdale’s Labour MP, Simon Danczuk, who called it “limited.”
“It doesn’t explain why the social workers, why social services had a culture of blaming the victims for the abuse that they received at the hands of these perpetrators,” he told the BBC.
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