A woman who, as a child, was sexually exploited and raped more than 100 times has spoken to BBC Newsnight about the trauma that she experienced growing up in Rochdale.

The woman, known as Ruby, described her traumatic abuse and the failure of Rochdale Borough Council and Greater Manchester Police to take action to disrupt the abusers and protect children.  She reported the abuse of her and others to police and social services at the time it was taking place, but no action was taken.  Ruby also told how her aborted foetus was taken by the police for forensic examination without her knowledge or permission.

A recent review commissioned by the Mayor of Greater Manchester , Andy Burnham, was highly critical of both GMP and councils in the area finding that children were “left at the mercy” of paedophile grooming gangs, and that the police allocated insufficient resources to the large number of allegations that were being made.  Shockingly the report concluded that 96 men still considered to be a danger are still at large.

Ruby called for a change in the way that child sexual exploitation cases are dealt with and demanded more support be given to children, including psychological help.

Rochdale Borough Council apologised for their failure to protect children in the past, but stated that far more rigorous procedures were in place today. 

Switalskis highly experienced team has been working on child sexual exploitation cases since 2013. We have successfully concluded compensation cases arising from abuse across the country, including Rotherham, Rochdale, Oldham, Bradford and Oxford.

 If you or a friend need confidential advice, please contact Sally Smith email sally.smith@switalskis.com or call 01924 882000.