A 31-year-old woman who was gang-raped in Oldham, England, at the age of 12 is demanding a government-led investigation into child sexual abuse in the town. Samantha Walker-Roberts, bravely speaking out publicly, believes a local inquiry won't hold those responsible for failings accountable. She argues a national inquiry would inadvertently dilute the focus on Oldham.
Her call comes amidst ongoing controversy regarding the handling of child sexual abuse cases. The Home Office, in response to a request for a national inquiry, opted for a locally-led review. This decision has drawn criticism, including from Elon Musk, who accused officials of "hiding terrible things" and labeled a Home Office minister a "rape genocide apologist".
This has led to political pressure. Conservative MPs have joined Musk's calls for a national investigation, proposing an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. While Downing Street indicated a potential U-turn, Walker-Roberts maintains her preference for a government-led, rather than national, inquiry.
Walker-Roberts points out a key concern: a local inquiry might not fully address the institutional failures within police, council, and social services. She feels that survivors should play a crucial role in shaping the terms of reference. Despite welcoming the attention brought by Musk's intervention, she criticizes far-right groups for using the issue to push their own agenda, specifically condemning the mischaracterization of the abuse as linked to a particular ethnic group.
Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Police expressed remorse for past failures in protecting victims. Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker highlighted ongoing investigations and arrests in response to child sexual exploitation.
Despite the call for a locally-led inquiry by Oldham Council, Walker-Roberts believes the council's resources are insufficient for the task. The council is currently managing a substantial budget deficit.
Professor Alexis Jay, leader of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, suggested that the time for lengthy national inquiries into grooming gangs may have passed. The government is now implementing mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse. Councillor Arooj Shah, leader of Oldham Council, reaffirmed the council's commitment to a comprehensive local inquiry.
