The grooming gang perpetrators who are never convicted

When you hear the term ‘grooming gang’, what comes to mind? ‘Grooming’, as I have long said, is a euphemism for targeting, raping, and pimping. Gang members routinely and sadistically sexually assaulted victims for their own twisted pleasure but ultimately the girls were used for profit: the gangs were running a business, and the girls were the merchandise. 

All of the gang-based child sexual abuse scandals used the same modus operandi: the girls were broken in and broken down by the criminals before being driven around the UK to be sold to punters for cash in straightforward prostitution transactions. 

Despite this, many children’s charities refuse to use the word pimping. Indeed, back in 2004, when I was investigating the issue and called for a quote, one very well-respected charity told me ‘We don’t like to use the word pimping, because it’s stigmatised.’

Yes, and for very good reason, I suggested. This person went on to tell me the word had ‘racist connotations’, to which I replied, ‘So does drug dealing – should we call it “making narcotics available”?’

They stuck to their guns and continued referring to the paid-for rape of children, as ‘sexual exploitation’ – a term that allows people to look away from the specifics.