How listening to survivors of child sexual exploitation has helped save more children

A 2022 report from a three-year inquiry into child exploitation in Telford revealed that more than 1,000 girls had been abused over a 40-year period, and that agencies had blamed victims for the abuse they suffered, not the perpetrators, with some cases not investigated at all. The report made 47 recommendations for improvement by the agencies involved. 

Two years on, Tom Crowther KC, the Chair of the Inquiry published the two-year update to his harrowing 2022 report in which he praised the work of Telford sexual abuse survivors Holly Archer, Joanne Phillips, and Scarlett Jones who have been working with Telford and Wrekin Council to ensure lessons have been learnt. Their work has led to a major increase in identification rates for exploited child victims of modern slavery and human trafficking in Telford which have tripled in the last year.

The Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner has been following the progress of the Telford Inquiry and has been regularly engaging with the survivors.

She said: “The sexual exploitation of children in Telford was shocking and appalling. This survivor-led Inquiry highlights what must happen now to make sure this can never happen again. We must do all we can to protect children and young people from this horrific form of exploitation and hold the perpetrators of this heinous crime to account.

“I would like to pay testament to the brave survivors in this Inquiry for sharing their experiences to help prevent other children from facing this horrific exploitation. I have seen first-hand how this passionate and committed team of survivors are having nationwide impact and how these recommendations will help protect children from sexual exploitation.

“I look forward to continuing to work with survivors to make sure the lessons learnt from this inquiry are heard by policymakers.

It is also why I am calling on the Government to establish a Survivor Advisory Council to hear the voices of survivors and guide its response to tackling modern slavery.”

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