A third survivor has stepped away from the UK government’s inquiry into grooming gangs. Elizabeth, who chose to remain anonymous, joins Fiona Goddard and Ellie Reynolds in resigning from the victims and survivors panel. Their main concern? They feel the inquiry process is more about appearances than genuine dialogue.
In her letter, Elizabeth expressed that it often felt like a “cover-up” and created a toxic environment for survivors. Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips has denied these claims, insisting that the government is committed to uncovering failures in addressing these serious crimes.
Elizabeth hails from Rotherham and feels the inquiry has been “scripted,” lacking real engagement with survivors. She said many survivors feel like their voices are not being heard and are merely being used to validate pre-existing decisions.
In June, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced this national inquiry, which is supposed to cover England and Wales. Yet, the panel has not yet appointed a chairperson, and recent reports revealed that former senior social worker Annie Hudson withdrew her name from consideration.
The inquiry has faced criticism regarding its leadership. Former deputy chief constable Jim Gamble is now a potential candidate for chairing the inquiry. A meeting between him and survivors reportedly allowed both sides to share their experiences.
Both Goddard and Reynolds have raised alarms about the suitability of candidates for the inquiry’s leadership, questioning their backgrounds in policing or social work. Goddard, who experienced abuse while in a children’s home, stated that these institutions contributed significantly to a cover-up of issues related to child exploitation.
Reynolds, also a survivor, pointed out that expanding the inquiry’s scope to include broader issues may overshadow the specific focus on grooming gangs.
Safeguarding Minister Phillips acknowledged the resignations but emphasized that opinions among victims differ widely. She has pledged to engage with all victims, regardless of their views.
Critics, including Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp, argue that the inquiry is disorganized. They advocate for a senior judge to lead the inquiry to ensure impartiality. Phillips responded that finding a suitable chair without ties to institutions that failed these children is challenging.
The backlash from survivors and advocates highlights growing concerns over real engagement in this inquiry. Dame Jasvinder Sanghera, who fights against forced marriages, expressed frustration with the lack of meaningful involvement of survivors, saying it feels like they’ve been invited but left out of key decisions.
As this inquiry progresses, it remains crucial to ensure that the voices of survivors are truly included in the process. Finding a chairperson who can navigate these intricate issues and genuinely listen to the experiences of those affected is key to restoring faith in the inquiry.
For more details on the government’s approach to these crimes, visit the Home Office website.
