Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch details to uncover grooming gangs in UK

British Conservative Party opposition leader, Kemi Badenoch, who was born in Nigeria, has asked a detailed probe to uncover the enablers or negligent parties behind the grooming gangs that victimized thousands of girls in the UK.

Through a written declaration, Badenoch shared her deep concern, stating, “Britain has endured the organized exploitation and abuse of thousands of vulnerable white working-class girls children by gangs of men, predominantly of Pakistani origin.”

Describing the extent of the abuse, she said, “This was rape on an industrial scale. Shockingly, this scandal was perpetuated by the collusion and cover-ups of officials, police, and politicians who prioritized community relations over the safety of victims and their families.”

She characterized the gravity of the abuse, saying, “This was systematic rape on a monumental scale. Appallingly, this crisis was prolonged by the deliberate inaction and concealment by officials, police, and politicians who valued community relations over the welfare of victims and their families.”

She presented a stark portrayal of the victims' suffering, recounting their testimonies: ‘Young women were coerced into acts of extreme sexual violence, subjected to gang rape, and met with brutal physical violence when they resisted.’

Children from disadvantaged backgrounds were subjected to systemic abuse by male perpetrators, with community support for the abusers occurring in some instances.

Badenoch exposed systemic failures, citing disturbing cases, such as social workers attending an Islamic marriage between an abuser and his victim, and a father arrested for rescuing his daughter from alleged ‘rape dens.’ She also condemned officials who minimized the scandal to avoid accusations of racism or community discord.

"These institutional failures facilitated the perpetuation of abuse on a national scale, resulting in significant harm to thousands of individuals," she stated. "It is particularly egregious to observe instances of officials and law enforcement actively collaborating to suppress the truth and protect the perpetrators of these crimes."

She paid tribute to the dedication of those who resisted this deeply rooted injustice, asserting that many brave advocates encountered fierce opposition as they sought fairness for the victims. Significant strides have been achieved. Rotherham Council underwent a government intervention in 2015. Perpetrators involved in grooming gangs have faced prosecution, and the Grooming Gang Taskforce, established in April 2023, recorded over 500 arrests within its inaugural year.

She wrapped up with a strong statement: 'There should be no tolerance for those who abuse and victimize children, nor for those who shield offenders. We have a duty to the survivors to make certain this never occurs again.'