Independent Inquiry – Telford Child Sexual Exploitation call for evidence

On the matter of child sexual exploitation in the Telford and Wrekin area the Independent Inquiry commissioned by the local council has made an appeal for anybody with knowledge or experience of abuse to come forward. 

The Chair is asking for witnesses to come forward and speak to the Inquiry about their own experiences of child sexual exploitation in Telford; whether they are a victim or survivor, a family member, someone who has worked in child protection, healthcare, education, the investigation of criminal offences or other organisations who may have relevant information, or anyone who has seen something in the community that is helpful for us to know. The Inquiry will not be effective unless witnesses come forward; we want to hear from you

The Chair (I’m old-fashioned, he is the chairman, not something in walnut from the Ercol catalogue) is Tom Crowther QC is a barrister and former judge. About the inquiry:-

In April 2018, Telford & Wrekin Council (the “Council”) unanimously agreed to commission an independent, non-statutory Inquiry into child sexual exploitation within the Borough of Telford & Wrekin. Further background information giving context to this decision is included in a Report, and appendices, to the Council’s Cabinet on 29 March 2018 and 19 April 2018 which are available on the Council’s web-site. The Inquiry has been set up voluntarily by the Council and has no statutory powers to compel evidence.

Following that motion, the Council implemented a process to ensure the establishment of the Inquiry was as independent as possible from the Council.

There is obvously a lot to investigate.