To want Sadiq Khan to answer this question

Do you give a stuff about child rape victims in any way, or do you just want to bang on about how you don’t like Susan Hall?

It doesn’t matter who asked the question, the Mayor has a responsibility to
answer.

And there is the perfect example of how conversation about these controversial matters is chilled and shut down for fear of being “inflammatory”. For goodness sake, hold the line and discuss whatever the hell you want to, especially about these horrendous matters. Fear of being inflammatory is exactly why the whole mess was never addressed and continues to this day.

Exactly. This is why we are here. Due to badgering from those with strong political loyalty overriding actual concerns for women and girls

I couldn’t agree more. Answer the bloody question Sadiq. Put the victims above your political machinations. It is absolutely sickening.

@OpheliaWasntMad "I don’t want this thread to degenerate into racist tropes. I’d rather it looked at the way politicians are dealing with this issue"

I agree with you. However, it is impossible to look at the way politicians are dealing with the issue without also dealing with the way some people are using it as an opportunity to perpetuate a racist narrative. You only have to listen to, say, Robert Jenrick, to see how this is happening. Also, I do think you have chosen an unfortunate champion in Susan Hall.

Sadly these discussions are always shut down. That contributes to the problem.

@Barbadosgirl That's not correct regarding Climbie. Her social workers were predominantly black and one said that she thought Victoria was so obedient, fearful and quiet because of African culture.

And on point 2 the Laming report which I believe is now about 20 years old identified exactly this issue- professionals being so worried about being racist that they dismissed or ignored the fairly obvious signs that Victoria Climbie was being abused. 20 years ago he flagged that perhaps that poor little girl could have been saved if people had been prepared to look critically and objectively at what was in front of their eyes rather than filtering through assumptions about race and racism. Yet we learn nothing.

Susan Hall may well have an ulterior motive in her line of questioning. However, pretending he doesn’t understand what a grooming gang is or that as Mayor of London he does not have responsibility for knowing about such things is utterly reprehensible. If you were one of those girls or young women how would you feel about that sneering dismissal?

And there is the perfect example of how conversation about these controversial matters is chilled and shut down for fear of being “inflammatory”. For goodness sake, hold the line and discuss whatever the hell you want to, especially about these horrendous matters. Fear of being inflammatory is exactly why the whole mess was never addressed and continues to this day.

I am aware of Susan Hall I am also aware at present the issue of grooming gangs is very much in the news. I have no doubt of Elon Musk aim was to try to stir up racial hatred but this has led to a government review. It should not be under review as it should have been dealt with correctly at the time but I for one am glad it is while also Elon Musk is being called out

the government review is a nationwide enquiry into grooming gangs was announced last week

so why can this not be asked to the London mayor? He had the opportunity to say well if you are referring to specific ethnic gangs no that isn’t the concerns in London but he wanted to score points. This isn’t the issue to score points over children are being raped he could have risen above her point scoring

also why is he using terminology like girls were groomed for county lines and used for sex this implies far less violence

again this is dismissive of what is happening these girls are being raped. Likely again to be working class girls many in care/under social services

what has been learnt ?

His goady responses to a straight question is on him.

He and others who defend that are prioritising political loyalty over the issues

Do you think she/her party asked the question so that more resources and urgency can go to helping those children, or to make it look like Sadiq Khan is somehow a sympathizer or lazy enabler of the gangs?

I think before people accuse Khan of obfuscation or goadiness, they should look at Susan Hall's previous record. It is unlikely that her question was being asked in good faith.

The racist trope of men of a particular race/culture/religion grooming, enslaving and raping girls from out with that race/culture/ religion.

I just want a clear answer and no obfuscation on an issue where obfuscation and political game playing has caused incredible harm to young girls.

Op the sarky responses you've had to this are ridiculous. It shows where we are either political loyalty above all else

He was goady yes.

That's his failing

The difference between child exploitation generally and grooming gangs is that the investigations of the grooming gangs were covered up and in some cases the proponants were known or linked to local authorities.

I donate to the Maggie Oliver Foundation. They assist survivors with holistic help. Obviously there are other charities. It's just in case anyone wants to contribute.

@CurlewKate , it is not a racist trope. The rape gangs are mainly Pakistani Muslim gangs. That’s not racism it’s fact.

I was furious when I read about how these girls were let down time and time again by those meant to be protecting them. However it's not an anomaly, working class girls in particular are traditionally blamed for being victims of sexual abuse.

I grew up in a time when victims routinely had to describe their clothes after stranger rape. It was also a time of 'child prostitutes' and 16 year old page 3 girls. Judges blamed CSA victims for seducing their abusers.

Jimmy Savile's sexual predilections were well known by many but his victims had no voice and he was friends with powerful people.

If it was up to me, every single person who let down those girls would have a criminal record and banned from working with vulnerable people.

This country has a problem with CSA and it seems ingrained.

Agreed.