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Marshall inquiry: Child sexual exploitation a 'growing threat' | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Child sexual exploitation is a "growing threat" to young people in Northern Ireland, an inquiry has found. | |
The Marshall inquiry also said it heard that individuals with links to paramilitary groups may have abused children. | |
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 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 arrangements | Safeguarding arrangements |
The report makes 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. |
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 frontline suggests child sexual exploitation is widespread and growing. | |
The Marshall report also makes a number of recommendations to improve the performance of agencies. | |