Survivors in Oldham Slam Government for Inquiry Choice: Exclusive Insights

Oldham Abuse Survivors Criticise Government Over Inquiry Decision

The women want the prime minister to listen to their stories. The BBC has changed the names of the women in this article in order to protect their identity.

Survivors Speak Out

Three women who were left devastated by historical child sexual exploitation in Oldham have told the BBC ministers should have spoken to survivors before deciding not to conduct a government-led inquiry into grooming gangs in the town.

Jane and Amelia, who survived abuse more than 15 years ago, and Sarah, whose son was exploited in the town while he was in care, called on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to meet them and hear their stories.

Government Response

Ministers rejected Oldham Council's request to conduct an inquiry, saying the council should lead it. A government spokesperson said it would "always be guided" by survivors and that Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips would continue to engage with victims.

But they added "many victims have said they do not want to see another national inquiry - they want action now".

Call for a National Inquiry

Jane and Amelia said they would like to see a full national inquiry, because they feel it is important to cover the experiences of survivors across the country. Sarah, whose son was abused in his teens and died more than 10 years later, would have liked a government-led inquiry into abuse in Oldham, but would accept a local one if it is properly funded.

Public Outcry

"This isn't for anyone's political gain. This is about real human beings," Amelia said. The government has resisted calls from the Conservatives and Reform for a new national inquiry, saying that implementing recommendations from a 2022 report conducted by Prof Alexis Jay into child sexual abuse is its priority.

Impact of Abuse

Jane was 12 when she moved to Oldham. She made friends with a girl older than her who introduced her to a man in his late forties. "He started coming round, buying me phones, telling me not tell my parents," she said, "then he started introducing me to his friends."

Now more than a decade later, Jane struggles to recall in detail the number of men involved - but says for six years she was abused by a British-Pakistani grooming gang.

Personal Stories

Amelia was still at school when she was trafficked across the country for sex with multiple men a night. The people who took her were white British, but she said those who abused her were from every background, race and class.

Sarah's 13-year-old son reported being sexually abused while he was a looked-after child in Oldham in the 2000s.

Government Action

Councillor Arooj Shah, leader of Oldham Council, said the new local independent inquiry will build on the findings of the Greater Manchester review. Greater Manchester Police Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said "we absolutely recognise the lifelong impact of child sexual exploitation, which is why we are so committed to protecting victims and pursuing offenders."