Survivors of child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Telford have issued a stark warning to politicians and campaigners: cease the “political tug of war” over the voices of vulnerable women before a new national grooming gangs inquiry begins. Holly Archer and Scarlett Jones—who spearheaded a local “gold-standard” investigation in Telford—urge decision-makers to step aside and let survivors shape the forthcoming national review.
Survivors’ Call: “Let Us Lead the Inquiry”
Holly Archer, author of I Never Gave My Consent, and Scarlett Jones, co-founder of the Holly Project, say the strongest contributions to any inquiry must come from those who endured exploitation first-hand. Archer argues that too many stakeholders without lived experience are speaking on survivors’ behalf—and sometimes overriding their perspectives. “We can do it. Let us do it—we don’t need you to speak for us,” she insists.
Exploiting the Exploited
Jones highlights a disturbing trend: “There are people out there exploiting the exploited—that’s happening all the time.” She decries organisations and political groups using survivors’ stories to advance their agendas, rather than centering the harm and needs of victims themselves. Both women stress that fetishising particular offender identities—such as focusing exclusively on Asian-heritage perpetrators—risks sidelining other survivors and obscuring the full scope of the problem.
Context: The Government’s Ethnicity Data Announcement
Last week, the government directed police to collect ethnicity data on all child sexual abuse suspects. This followed Louise Casey’s report, which found some evidence of overrepresentation of men of Pakistani heritage in local data—but also cautioned against sensationalist interpretations. Survivors welcome improved data collection but warn against simplistic narratives. As Archer notes, in her own case most of her abusers were Chinese-origin men, despite her grooming beginning with men of Pakistani background.
Why Telford Matters
Telford’s three-year independent inquiry, concluded in 2022, revealed that hundreds of children had been exploited over decades by group-based gangs. Survivors were consulted at every stage and later helped implement local reforms. “At a national level, I don’t want them to lose the part where survivors are actually the people telling them what needs to be done,” Jones says. Their model stands in stark contrast to earlier national inquiries that delivered reports without meaningful change.
Critique of Existing Inquiries
Archer and Jones are scathing about the 2014-2016 national inquiry led by Professor Alexis Jay. That investigation produced a 1,300-page report and 68 recommendations, but survivors see little evidence of implementation. Jones labels it “absolutely pointless” because “years later, nothing has been done.” They fear a repeat: “The worry is that that is what will happen again.”
Key Survivor-Led Recommendations
Define CSE Consistently across Agencies
Survivors stress the need for a unified statutory definition of child sexual exploitation. Inconsistent definitions across police forces and child-protection agencies have hindered investigations and care. A clear national standard would ensure all cases are treated with equal seriousness.
Wraparound Care for At-Risk Children
Victims must be treated unambiguously as children in need of protection, not as complicit participants. Archer calls for “one statutory procedure” guaranteeing immediate, coordinated support—medical, psychological and social—for any child suspected of exploitation.
Survivor Involvement at Every Stage
From planning to reporting, survivors must have a seat at the table. Their trauma-informed perspectives can guide inquiries to ask the right questions, set priorities and craft recommendations that are practical and respectful of victims’ needs.
Full Statutory Powers for the National Commission
Archer and Jones welcome the government’s plan to grant statutory powers to an independent commission tasked with coordinating local inquiries. These powers should include compelling testimony, obtaining sensitive documents and enforcing implementation of recommendations.
Beyond Blame: Tackling Political Exploitation
Survivors urge politicians to resist using CSE as a wedge issue. Archer recounts how far-right group Britain First circulated her own book excerpts to stoke anti-immigrant sentiment—at a time when she herself faced death threats online. “They were telling me I was pro what they were doing,” she recalls. “It was insane.” Jones adds that survivors’ safety depends on depoliticising the issue.
Looking Ahead: A New National Inquiry
The national inquiry announced by the Home Office will integrate five existing local investigations, under a single independent commission and supported by the National Crime Agency. Its aims include reopening historical group-based CSE cases and ensuring uniform practice across the country. Survivors want the process to be transparent, accountable and—above all—driven by those who have survived.
Conclusion: Centering Survivors’ Voices
As the nation prepares for another sweeping review of grooming-gang crimes, Holly Archer and Scarlett Jones remind us that effective change hinges on centering survivors’ expertise. They call for an end to political grandstanding and a commitment to sustained action. “We need survivors to feel safe enough just to live their life,” Archer says, “be happy and know that they’re worth having that happiness.” Only then, she argues, can an inquiry truly bring justice and healing to those who have suffered.
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