Expert Calls For Urgent Response To Charity's Claims

A child abuse specialist at Irwin Mitchell has called on the government to react after Barnado’s claimed the justice system is failing victims of sexual exploitation.

The charity has stated that while it knows of over 2,700 victims of grooming and trafficking in England and Wales, only 89 convictions were made in 2009 as cases tend to be dropped for a number of reasons.

According to the organisation, the problems with convictions meant that children were being let down by a failure to prevent abuse in the first instance and a failure to bring those responsible to account.

Tracey Storey, a Partner and child abuse claims specialist at Irwin Mitchell’s London office, said: “The government has stated recently that it intends to release plans to improve the tackling of child abuse, but findings in this vein stress just how urgent an issue this now is.

“Through our work representing victims of child abuse, we have seen the incredible psychological and emotional trauma that children have to deal with – not only from the abuse but when disclosing the abuse and going through a prosecution.

“Every effort must be made to ensure that anyone placed in a potentially dangerous situation is protected from harm at the first sign of concern.

“People who have been abused need reassurances that those responsible for the abuse are vigorously prosecuted and it is vital that any new government proposals identify changes which will ensure that child victims are not re-traumatised by the process.”

If you or a loved one has been the victim of child abuse, our specialist child abuse lawyers could help you get justice and claim compensation. Call 0370 150 100 to talk confidentially to someone about making a claim or visit our Abuse & Criminal Injury Claims page for more information.