"It's always been about making sure this doesn't happen again" - survivors of Telford CSE scandal speak out a year on from damning report
We've been speaking exclusively to two survivors who are spearheading change.
Last updated 15th Apr 2024
Today marks exactly one year since an independent inquiry uncovered the shocking abuse and exploitation of more than a thousand children in Telford.
On 12th July 2022, the Independent Inquiry into Telford Child Sexual Exploitation (IITCSE) found widespread failures by authorities meant hundreds of young girls were targeted over at least 30 years.
It concluded authorities "ignored obvious child sexual exploitation", didn't share information properly between agencies, that children were blamed rather than the people exploiting them and that the exploitation was dismissed as "child prostitution".
The inquiry, chaired by Tom Crowther QC, reviewed evidence from victims and survivors detailing their abuse, as well as hundreds of pages of documents from authorities including West Mercia Police and Telford and Wrekin Council.
In total, the inquiry put forward 47 recommendations which authorities should act upon in order to improve how they tackle CSE and safeguard young people.
Survivors: "More information needs to be shared"
Twelve months on from the publication of the inquiry, we sat down with two survivors to see what they make of the progress by authorities in Telford.
Holly Archer and Scarlett Jones are now working as “lived experience consultees” - helping to advise and guide Telford and Wrekin Council, West Mercia Police and others to drive forward improvements.
Holly said: "Everything is still very much in its infancy in terms of all of those things that need to come together, and having all the right agencies in the room. But so far, what I've seen from the information and statistical data they're collecting, it is showing patterns and trends which is the first part of what we need to do to start to tackle sexual exploitation.
"I do think that more information needs to be shared, and to be shared more willingly by other organisations. The local authority has quite rich data it's collected. As other organisations get involved and share their information, I think it will make a change."
Scarlett added: "It's always been about making sure this doesn't happen again. Making sure that our children are safe.
"Making sure that worst case scenario and something has happened, that there are things in place to get help and do it right, rather than waiting 30, 40 years to get that support that's needed."
One of the recommendations was for authorities to set up a joint CSE review team to ensure a joined up approach to tackling the issue.
The group was tasked with producing an annual report to publish its progress. The first of those has been published, and will be discussed at Telford and Wrekin’s full council meeting tomorrow (13 July).
In summary, the report outlines that 51% of the work done against the recommendations is now ready for review by Mr Crowther QC, and that will have reached 67% by the end of July.
The report mentions some of the changes made so in relation to taxi-licensing and the night-time economy, children's services and education.
The CSE review team said it plans to invite Mr Crowther back to Telford to review every recommendation at the end of the year, six months ahead of the deadline set.
Authorities: "on track" to meet recommendations by end of year
West Mercia Police Assistant Chief Constable, Damian Barratt said: "We've worked really hard embracing the recommendations. What I would say is that our service that we provide in tackling CSE is the best it's ever been, but we recognise wavering commitment to continue to develop it.
"So, our work has very much been working on those recommendations, working with our partners and being able to deliver against them.
"I'm really confident our workforce is receptive at understanding and recognising vulnerability.
"The important work that we are doing by working with other partnerships in the local area to understand where the vulnerability occurs, what does it look like and bringing it to life for our staff.
"When we do that, I'm absolutely confident that they've got the commitment to attack it and address it."
Councillor Shirley Reynolds, Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Young People said: “We are determined to take action on every recommendation set out in the independent report.
“A year after its publication, we’re making solid progress. The work we’ve done against 51% of the recommendations we are responsible for is now ready for review by the independent chair of the inquiry, Tom Crowther KC. This will have reached 67% by the end of July. We plan to invite him back to Telford to review every recommendation at the end of this year, six months ahead of his deadline.”
Jo Britton, Executive Director for Children’s Services at Telford & Wrekin Council said: “This is not a paper exercise, this is about making a real difference in our communities.
“Regular input and robust challenge from our panel of people with lived experience of child sexual exploitation ensures that for every action we take, we are having an impact. We would like to thank them for their continued support and guidance.”