Inquiry Into Historic Abuse In Shropshire Finds More Than 1000 Girls Abused

Lawyers specialising in supporting survivors of historic child abuse are calling for lessons to learned after an inquiry found more than 1,000 girls were abused in Telford. 

The damning report into historic child sexual exploitation in the town found there was evidence that young people being targeted was ignored for generations. It added agencies blamed children for the abuse rather than perpetrators. 

The report made 47 recommendations.

Lawyers supporting survivors of abuse

Irwin Mitchell’s specialist abuse team has vast experience of providing advice and support to people who have been affected by such problems. It represents a number of clients with ongoing claims across the country, including local authority abuse and abuse linked to football clubs. 

Tom Fletcher, an expert lawyer at Irwin Mitchell helps survivors of abuse access specialist support and therapies needed to try and overcome their ordeals. 

Expert Opinion

“The findings of this latest report into grooming and the historic sexual exploitation of children are truly staggering and hugely disturbing.

“Sadly what happened in Telford isn’t an isolated incident with other previous inquiries and reports pointing towards wider problems across the country.

“Agencies, including councils and police forces, have a duty to support and care for vulnerable members of their communities. It’s incredibly shocking to see how didn’t happen in Telford for a number of years.

“It’s clear that lessons have to be learned from these truly appalling problems.

“We applaud the bravery and determination of survivors in highlighting what’s happened, as through our work we have seen how difficult it can be for people to share their experiences.

“While nothing can ever make up for what they’ve been through it’s vital that all of those involved in Telford are able to access the specialist support which will help them take at least some steps towards coming to terms with the ordeals they have endured.” Tom Fletcher - Partner

Telford child sexual exploitation inquiry

The inquiry was set up by Tow Crowther QC after the Sunday Mirror revealed gangs had been abusing girls in Telford since the 1980s. 

It heard testimonies from survivors of how when they were children, adult men worked to gain their trust before they were treated as sexual objects and commodities. 

West Mercia Police and Telford and Wrekin Council have apologised for what happened. 

Other key findings of Tom Crowther's abuse inquiry report

Other key report findings included:

• Teachers and social workers were discouraged from reporting abuse

• Offenders became "emboldened" by the lack of police action

• Exploitation was not investigated because of nervousness about race, that investigating concerns against Asian men, in particular, would inflame "racial tensions"

• Even after an investigation leading to seven men being jailed for child sex crimes West Mercia Police and Telford & Wrekin Council scaled down their specialist teams "to virtual zero" in order to save money. 

Find out more about our expertise in helping survivors of historic and more recent abuse at our dedicated abuse and criminal injury claims section. Alternatively to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.