Today marks a significant moment in the fight against horrific crimes, as the Home Secretary is set to unveil the specifics of a national inquiry into grooming gangs. This crucial announcement, made by the government, signals a concentrated effort to address a deeply troubling issue that has devastated countless lives.
However, while the establishment of this inquiry is a welcome development for many, it’s not without strong criticism. Leading victims’ advocate, Dame Jasvinder Sanghera, speaking to BBC’s The World at One, did not mince words, describing the delay in launching such a vital investigation as a “scandal.”
Dame Sanghera’s powerful statement underscores the immense frustration and calls for justice that have echoed for years from victims and their families. For many, the need for a national inquiry has been evident, and the time taken to reach this point is seen as a profound failure.
Adding to her comments on the X post (which you can find linked below), Dame Jasvinder further emphasized the critical need for deeper understanding and accountability: “Thank you for having this conversation. We really need to have more open and transparent conversations about perpetrators. Cultural acceptance does not mean accepting the unacceptable. The perpetrators’ attitudes contributed to the behaviour of treating victims as worthless.”
Her insights highlight the importance of not just initiating this inquiry, but ensuring it is robust, comprehensive, and truly addresses the systemic issues that have allowed these abhorrent crimes to persist. This includes confronting the attitudes of perpetrators and ensuring that no cultural context is ever used to excuse the inexcusable.
As the details are revealed today, the focus will undoubtedly shift to the scope of the inquiry, its powers, and its commitment to delivering tangible change and justice for those who have suffered. While a national inquiry is a step forward, Dame Jasvinder Sanghera’s powerful reminder serves as a critical backdrop: for far too long, victims have waited. The success of this inquiry will be measured not just by its findings, but by its ability to finally deliver the accountability, transparency, and protection that should have been in place much sooner.
