YESTERDAY, the first substantial report following the conviction of seven men for the molestation and exploitation of six girls was released by Oxfordshire County Council.

To those who have followed the Bullfinch scandal closely, there were not a lot of surprises.

This report by Jim Leivers, the children’s services director, was more drawing together the actions that have taken place since police and social services so belatedly recognised there was a gang targeting vulnerable girls in Oxford and using them for sex.

It was necessary at least because the public and councillors need a global overview of what is being done to ensure there is (hopefully) less chance of another gang springing up in the original one’s place.

The council, and police for that matter, have acknowledged they failed. While both organisations will be held to proper account once the Serous Case Review is completed, in the meantime we need to know everything is being done to ensure lessons have been learned.

Possibly the most disturbing element in the report, although Mr Leivers did allude to this last week, was further confirmation that social workers believed the girls being groomed by the Bullfinch gang were ‘making a lifestyle choice’ rather than recognising they were genuine victims.

That attitude almost veers into the realms of apportioning blame to rape victims that society has consigned largely to the past.

We hope the council’s view that it is doing everything practicable to avoid girls being groomed and exploited is sound because, as we have said before, there just can never be a repeat of the Bullfinch scandal.