AN OXFORD MP yesterday heard local authorities needed to work together and share information to fight child sexual exploitation.
Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood was among the politicians grilling police and child social service chiefs at a Home Affairs Committee session in Parliament.
It comes as nine men are due to stand trial in January charged with involvement in an alleged gang which police believe exploited up to 60 girls in Oxford.
In May, nine men were convicted in Rochdale of sexually exploiting children.
The committee heard victims’ complaints needed to be treated more seriously and sensitively in future.
Det Supt Ian Critchley, head of child sexual exploitation at the Association of Chief Police Officers, said: “In the past we have focused more on the victims’ credibility rather than their vulnerability.”
MPs also heard authorities needed to learn how to spot the signs of sexual exploitation.
Speaking afterwards about the Rochdale case, Ms Blackwood said: “The full picture was not being put together so nobody realised what was happening to the girls and they were seen as beyond control.”
The committee will make recommendations early next year.
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