Baroness who led Rotherham grooming gangs inquiry says we have not got right attitude over protection of kids

Baroness Louise Casey, who led an audit into Rotherham grooming gangs, says she still does not think society has got the “right” attitude towards children and the protection of children.

Appearing on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Baroness Casey said: “We don’t prioritise and we don’t think about how we protect young people.

“That’s partly about young people being young adults. I mean, I realise all of that gets more complicated as they get older, but come on.

“What has happened this week, particularly the rape (conviction of) Russell Brand, the abuse of power, the abuse of his media position, the people abusing power day in, day out to groom and then rape and sexually assault largely girls and young children, is frankly appalling.

When asked whether she thinks the law is strong enough to protect young people who might be being groomed, Baroness Casey said: “We have not got our attitude towards children and the protection of children right.”

Baroness Casey led an investigation into Rotherham Council after a separate report found more than 1,400 children were sexually exploited by gangs of mainly Asian males in the town between 1997 and 2013.

Her report, published in 2015, found widespread failings across the council’s culture and services.

The Government announced a national audit by Baroness Casey last year, which found the lack of data showing the ethnicity and nationality of sex offenders in grooming gangs was “a major failing over the last decade or more” and listed 12 recommendations, including for a national inquiry.

The grooming gangs inquiry was set up in response to the recommendation from Baroness Casey’s National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.

Baroness Casey added: “I am impatient for change, and I don’t think the momentum has been good enough.”