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Marshall inquiry: Child sexual exploitation findings to be announced Marshall inquiry: Child sexual exploitation a 'growing threat'
(about 5 hours later)
The outcome of an independent inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Northern Ireland is expected to be announced later. Child sexual exploitation is a "growing threat" to young people in Northern Ireland, an inquiry has found.
The inquiry was commissioned last year, after it emerged police had identified 22 people, aged between 13 and 18, who may have been sexually exploited. The Marshall inquiry also said it heard that individuals with links to paramilitary groups may have abused children.
Some had been given drink or drugs and possibly passed between adults. The inquiry was commissioned last year after it emerged police had identified 22 people, aged between 13 and 18, who may have been sexually exploited.
Health Minister Jim Wells is due to outline the findings of the Marshall inquiry to the assembly at Stormont. Health Minister Jim Wells is outlining its findings at Stormont.
The inquiry was led by Prof Kathleen Marshall who is a former commissioner for children and young people in Scotland.
It identified 100 to 145 children as being at risk of exploitation, but said the number could be much higher.
The inquiry's report said that individuals with links to paramilitary groups may have used those links to abuse children.
It makes clear that the abuse was not organised by paramilitary groups but by people who had influence because of their connection to the groups.
The inquiry said that many of those consulted for the report indicated that Northern Ireland was not experiencing the type of organised exploitation seen in Rochdale or Rotherham.
However, it concludes that child sexual exploitation "must be regarded as a significant and growing threat to the welfare of children and young people".
Safeguarding arrangementsSafeguarding arrangements
The inquiry was led by Prof Kathleen Marshall, who is a former commissioner for children and young people in Scotland. The report makes a number of recommendations involving social services, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Department of Health.
Her report is expected to make a number of recommendations involving social services, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Department of Health.
For the past year, the inquiry has been examining the nature of child sexual exploitation and to what extent it has been taking place in Northern Ireland.For the past year, the inquiry has been examining the nature of child sexual exploitation and to what extent it has been taking place in Northern Ireland.
It has also been examining how effective safeguarding arrangements are across the health and judicial systems.It has also been examining how effective safeguarding arrangements are across the health and judicial systems.
'Widespread'
While a majority of victims were living in residential care, children living in their own family homes were also on the PSNI's radar.While a majority of victims were living in residential care, children living in their own family homes were also on the PSNI's radar.
While the issue is not new, evidence among those working on the front line suggests child sexual exploitation is widespread and growing. While the issue is not new, evidence among those working on the frontline suggests child sexual exploitation is widespread and growing.
The Marshal report is expected to make a number of findings, including the influence of some people in certain communities. The Marshall report also makes a number of recommendations to improve the performance of agencies.
It is also expected to make a number of recommendations to improve the performance of agencies.