In London on Oct 5, the reported that a recent national review by Louise Casey showed that in about two‑thirds of UK child‑sexual‑exploitation cases, officials did not record the nationality or origin of the mainly Pakistani perpetrators. Officials feared that naming the gang’s ethnic background could stir community tensions and accusations of racism.
A 2014 study revealed that many children in Rochdale, England, had been abused for years by men who were largely of Pakistani origin. The report—cited by Greek lawyer and human‑rights activist Dimitra Staikou—suggested that local councils and social services responded slowly because they worried about being labeled as racist or damaging social cohesion.
Staikou’s independent inquiry in Telford echoed this “nervousness around race.” She said that the fear of offending an entire community had stopped investigations into child abuse among the Asian community. “Crimes should be punished the same whether the offender is American, Pakistani or Greek,” she said. “Recording the nationality and religion of criminals only helps us see patterns, not blanket entire groups.”
The media report that published these findings was titled “The Phenomenon of the Burnt‑Wing Butterfly: A Conviction of a Child Abuse Ring in Britain.” It focused on the latest case involving a grooming gang in Rochdale.
On Oct 1, 2025, Mohammed Zahid, 65, who is nicknamed “Boss Man,” was handed a 35‑year prison sentence for leading a gang that sexually abused two under‑age girls between 2001 and 2006. Zahid had previously been convicted in 2016 for sexual contact with a 14‑year‑old. Detective Constable Jay Leacock of Greater Manchester Police described the gang’s actions as “exploiting the girls’ vulnerability for their own perverted gratification” and said the abuse was “without bounds,” even after the men denied the allegations.
Liz Fel, a special prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service, praised the young victims for their courage during the trial. “They showed tremendous strength and dignity,” she said.
The June 2025 trial found seven men guilty of 50 counts—including rape, indecent assault on a minor, and procuring a child for sex. Zahid was convicted of 20 offences, such as rape and attempting to lure a minor into sexual activity. Sentences for the others ranged from 12 to 29 years.
This case and the overarching review highlight the challenges of handling child‑sexual‑exploitation cases while balancing community sensitivities and the need for effective law enforcement.
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