SINCE being elected to the European Parliament in 2009, I have been campaigning against, and raising awareness of, human trafficking and abuse.

In those six years there have been several cases of trafficking and abuse right here in Oxford.

The Serious Case Review of the latest Oxford incidents this week reveals the appalling levels of abuse and sexual exploitation by gangs operating in Oxford over the past 15 years.

More than 300 young people have been groomed and sexually exploited, and the lack of understanding and action that took place by the authorities over that period was hugely unacceptable.

We will only tackle this problem when we start listening to the children and young people who are saying something is wrong.

Professionals, members of the public, parents and carers alike need to know the signs of abuse and report it.

The professionals must take action immediately. To learn the signs of trafficking to look out for, please visit the website stopthetraffik.org The most important thing to understand is that children under the age of consent, cannot give consent. If they are having sex, a criminal act is taking place.

It was not a lifestyle choice for these girls to be having sex.

Trafficked and abused people are victims, not criminals and must be treated as such.

Organisations in Oxford must learn from these serious failures and we must all do everything in our power now to increase awareness of these problems in our communities and stamp it out.

Oxford is not the only place that this sort of abuse is happening sadly.

CATHERINE BEARDER MEP Patron of Oxfordshire Communities Against Trafficking (OXCAT)