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<h2>Lack of Reliable Data</h2>
<p>The report points out weaknesses in data collection, making it challenging to understand the full extent of the problem.</p>
<p>It mentions the Complex and Organised Child Abuse Dataset, which recorded approximately 700 instances of group-based child sexual exploitation in 2023, indicating this figure is the only available statistic on the issue.</p>
<p>The report suggests this number likely does not truly represent the problem, as such crimes tend to be underreported, and definitions vary, leading to inconsistencies.</p>
<h2>Ethnicity of Perpetrators</h2>
<p>A major gap highlighted is the lack of data on the ethnicity of offenders, described as "appalling" and a "major failing."</p>
<p>It notes that the ethnicity of offenders remains unrecorded in about two-thirds of cases, hindering the ability to draw national conclusions.</p>
<p>However, there is sufficient police data from areas like Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire to indicate a disproportionate number of suspects from Asian backgrounds involved in group-based child sexual exploitation.</p>
<p>The report emphasizes the need to investigate why there appears to be a significant representation of perpetrators from Asian and Pakistani ethnicities in certain regions.</p>
<p>In response, the government is set to mandate the collection of ethnicity and nationality data for all child exploitation cases and to engage in new research regarding cultural and social factors contributing to the issue.</p>
<h2>National Inquiry</h2>
<p>Recently, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has accepted the recommendation for a comprehensive national inquiry into child sexual exploitation in England and Wales.</p>
<p>This comes after past reluctance to launch such an inquiry, with previous justifications resting on earlier findings of a seven-year investigation led by Prof. Alexis Jay, which concluded in 2022.</p>
<p>While the government initially ordered Baroness Casey's review alongside plans for five local inquiries, Baroness Casey later advocated for a national inquiry, citing a lack of local enthusiasm to conduct their own investigations.</p>
<p>The report suggests a national police operation to reassess unaddressed child exploitation cases alongside a formal inquiry supervised by an Independent Commission, armed with the authority to compel witness testimony.</p>
<h2>'See Children as Children'</h2>
<p>The report urges for stricter legal measures in England and Wales, asserting that adults who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 should always face charges of rape, encouraging society to recognize the innocence of children.</p>
<p>Despite the age of consent being 16, many cases have been downgraded from rape to lesser charges due to misguided perceptions of consent or feelings of "love."</p>
<p>In response, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has agreed to legislate changes while collaborating with law enforcement to establish safeguards for consensual teenage relationships.</p>
<h2>Taxi Licensing 'Loophole'</h2>
<p>Taxis have been identified as a significant risk factor for child sexual exploitation, both in facilitating contact between perpetrators and victims and in transporting them.</p>
<p>The report highlights that taxi licenses are granted by local authorities, yet the level of scrutiny varies dramatically between regions.</p>
<p>For instance, Rotherham has implemented comprehensive safeguards, including taxi cameras and a strict pass rate for safeguarding tests.</p>
<p>However, the report indicates that regulatory discrepancies and legal loopholes allow drivers to obtain licenses in more lenient areas while operating elsewhere, calling for immediate closure of these loopholes.</p>
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