Sexual abuse in some areas is ‘ as bad as in war zones’

VIOLENCE AGAINST GIRLS GOING UNDETECTED AND UNREPORTED

The level of sexual violence in gang- afflicted neighbourhoods is comparable to that seen in war zones, according to the author of a new report.

“In some areas the level of sexual violence and the types of violence inflicted are comparable to how sexual violence is used in war- torn territories,” said Professor Jenny Pearce of the University of Bedforshire, lead researcher on the sexual violence report for the Office of the Children’s Commissioner.

The report — entitled It’s Wrong But You Get Used To It

— found that girls as young as 11 are being systematically groomed, exploited and raped in the worst gang- affected areas of the UK, with the peer- on-peer violence going undetected, unreported and ignored.

Sue Berelowitz, the deputy children’s commissioner, said rape was widespread and happened “on a daily basis” in the worst- hit areas.

Shocking

“As soon as a girl has had sex, coerced or otherwise, it is completely open season on her. She has abrogated all right to refuse to have sex with someone for all time. They will and do have sex with her any time, any place and anywhere,” she said.

She added that the “sheer levels of sadism” uncovered by the inquiry had been shocking.

Of the 188 young people and 76 professionals questioned, 65 per cent shared examples of young women being coerced into sexual activity; as one 18- yearold put it: “Once they’ve implemented that fear into them it’s easy to get what you want.”

Half of respondents shared examples of girls having sex in return for status or protection, while 41 per cent identified examples of rape and 34 per cent of gang rape. The report also gives an insight into the hierarchy of gangs and the place of girls within them.