Statement on Child Sexual Exploitation Inquiry

"I stand with the survivors of these horrific crimes, support them in seeking answers, and bringing perpetrators to justice.

I fully support police investigations, inquiries and reviews that respect and listen to survivors, help to uncover wrongdoing and contribute to keeping children safe now and in the future.

I am in awe of those survivors who have come forward to seek answers, justice and to shed light on these horrific crimes. Yet still today many survivors’ questions remain unanswered. I truly hope that the new inquiry will provide those answers.

We must do everything in our power to support survivors, plus those others as yet unknown, and address the harm done to them by the perpetrators of these crimes and by those who should have protected them.

The inquiry should follow the evidence, wherever it leads, respecting and listening to the survivors, unearthing any failures by local services and holding them to account. This is an important part of seeking justice and making the right changes to keep children safe in future.

I have raised this issue many times with the Minister, and on my most recent visit to Bradford’s Children and Families Trust I saw first-hand the work being done with the police and other partners to keep children safe."

Judith Cummins MP