Grooming survivors prosecuted as children still being failed, Baroness Casey tells BBC
Summary
Baroness Louise Casey, who led a national review of child grooming gangs, said children who were groomed and then prosecuted for crimes are still being failed. While the government has introduced a law to pardon some child prostitution offenses, Baroness Casey argues this is not enough, and more comprehensive action is needed to clear wrongful convictions and protect victims.Key Facts
- Baroness Louise Casey led a national investigation into grooming gangs.
- Many children who were groomed and sexually abused were prosecuted for crimes like prostitution instead of being protected.
- The government passed a law pardoning "child prostitution" offenses for victims.
- Baroness Casey calls this law a "lazy option" and says a broader scheme to cancel all wrongful convictions is needed.
- The Home Office plans to review convictions linked to childhood sexual abuse.
- Survivors like Joanne, who was groomed from age 15 and convicted repeatedly, say the pardons do not cover all their convictions.
- Criminal records have caused long-term problems for survivors, including job and travel restrictions.
- A full national inquiry and police investigations into grooming gangs are ongoing.
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