SEXUAL exploitation of children in the UK was debated in Parliament after being brought to the House by an Oxfordshire MP.
Oxford West and Abingdon’s Tory MP Nicola Blackwood secured the debate, which happened yesterday.
She said girls were often lured into damaging relationships with their abusers, who would use threats, violence and intimidation to exert their power.
She said: “We should be aware that this very high level of national media attention is artificially pushing up reporting levels. But if increased reporting doesn’t lead to better prevention, detection and prosecution then the bravery of those who have come forward will have been for nothing.”
Oxford East Labour MP Andrew Smith added: “We need a pervasive campaign which gets across to all children the message... ‘it’s ok to tell someone’.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here