Abuse gang inquiry should be considered, says Senedd

The Senedd has unanimously called for a Wales inquiry into child sexual exploitation by gangs to be considered by the Welsh government.

But Plaid Cymru and Labour rejected demands from the Tories for such an exercise to definitely take place, instead arguing for police evidence to be reviewed first.

It follows calls from a survivor for an investigation into the extent of the problem in Wales.

"We all have got a moral duty to ensure those who commit these crimes face justice," Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Darren Millar said.

The Welsh government has previously said it has had assurances from all four police forces in Wales that there are currently no "widespread issues with grooming gangs".

Wednesday's debate followed angry scenes in the Senedd in January when Millar was told by Presiding Officer Elin Jones to "tone down" a question about grooming gangs.

He had been discussing the case of a victim known by the pseudonym Emily Vaughn.

Now in her 30s, Emily Vaughn said that she was first groomed at the age of 11 and then abused from the age of 14.

She told BBC Wales in January that she was trafficked to Telford, Blackpool and within Wales, and was raped "almost every single day".

Her case was raised again during Wednesday's debate which took place after the Conservatives laid a motion calling on the Welsh government to "commission an independent inquiry into child sexual exploitation"

Altaf Hussain, MS for South Wales West, said: "Her courage to call for an independent inquiry into child sexual exploitation by grooming gangs has inspired us to bring forward this motion today."

"Emily's story has somewhat of a silver lining," he said.

"If anything good can come from her horrendous ordeal, it is that she advocates for other victims, and is actually campaigning to ensure no-one else suffers the abuse that she endured."

He said a Wales-wide inquiry into the issue would help "get to grips with the problems here at home".

"I want my Wales safe, safe for our families, our children, and children's children," he added.

The leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds, who previously worked in children's safeguarding, said: "We all know that this is an absolutely appalling issue, and it's an appalling issue that is going on right now in our towns, in our communities, in our villages, and it is right that we are talking about it."

Plaid Cymru MS Sioned Williams said: "We must absolutely not make this a political issue, and we must ensure that the best way of achieving action and accountability is taken for the sake of victims and survivors.

She also highlighted concerns raised recently by the Children's Commissioner for Wales about the lack of progress in implementing recommendations from a previous inquiry into child sexual exploitation.

Responding to the debate on behalf of the Welsh government, Social Justice Secretary Jane Hutt said ministers were implementing those recommendations.

She also outlined the recent steps announced by the UK government to address concerns around child sexual exploitation including a review of grooming gang evidence to be chaired by Dame Louise Casey, as well as five local inquires - in Oldham and four other areas yet to be announced.

Hutt told the Senedd that Dame Casey's audit "will make recommendations about further analysis, investigations and actions that are needed to address current and historical failures, including in Wales".

The Conservatives' motion was defeated by 34 votes to 13.

However, a Plaid Cymru amendment which called on the Welsh government to work with police forces on an "all-Wales audit", was backed unanimously.

The amended motion also said that ministers should "consider commissioning a full independent inquiry in light of the evidence gathered by the audit".