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| Marshall inquiry: Child sexual exploitation a 'growing threat' | Marshall inquiry: Child sexual exploitation a 'growing threat' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Child sexual exploitation is a "growing threat" to young people in Northern Ireland, an inquiry has found. | 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 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. | 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. | 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. | The inquiry was led by Prof Kathleen Marshall who is a former commissioner for children and young people in Scotland. |
| Influence | |
| It identified 100 to 145 children as being at risk of exploitation, but said the number could be much higher. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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". | However, it concludes that child sexual exploitation "must be regarded as a significant and growing threat to the welfare of children and young people". |
| The report has made a number of recommendations involving social services, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Department of Health. | |
| It also made recommendations to improve the performance of agencies. | |
| 'Difficult' | |
| The NSPCC Northern Ireland said the report highlighted "steps that need to be taken to protect children" from abuse. | |
| Neil Anderson, head of service for NSPCC NI, said: "We know that child sexual exploitation is not unique to Northern Ireland. | |
| "The shocking investigations in Rotherham and Rochdale highlighted that measuring the full size and scale of the issue is very difficult. | |
| "While the report does not highlight a major child sexual exploitation problem here as yet, we must put in place systems to ensure that every child and young person who has been abused receives the vital help they need." | |
| 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 suggested that child sexual exploitation is widespread and growing. | |