Britain expands child sexual exploitation inquiry — MyJoyOnline

In the United Kingdom, an independent statutory inquiry into groups involved in the sexual exploitation of children has expanded its focus to Birmingham and Wales. It will examine the prevalence of such crimes, as well as the experiences of victims and survivors of exploitation, MyJoyOnline reports.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch welcomed Birmingham's inclusion in the inquiry. She said she would monitor its progress because victims must receive justice, and stressed the need for swift action.

Data on Birmingham

According to Birmingham Children's Trust, police are currently investigating 98 cases of child sexual exploitation in Birmingham. From January to June this year, 99 such crimes were recorded, while more than 140 children were considered to be at risk of exploitation or had already experienced it.

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Former children's safeguarding minister and local member of parliament Jess Phillips suggested that the actual number of crimes could be significantly higher.

Recording ethnicity in cases

At a city council meeting, it also emerged that West Midlands Police began systematically recording the ethnicity of individuals in child sexual exploitation cases only within the past 12 months. Badenoch called the collection of this information important and said that crimes could have remained hidden in closed communities.

She also said that the Labour government had changed its position by agreeing to hold a national inquiry announced in June 2025. According to her, a task force countering such groups identified another 400 offenders, but more needs to be done.