I speak out today not just as a victim of rape, but also as a concerned mother, hoping to protect the innocence of my child and countless others from the horror of child grooming gangs. As someone who has experienced rape firsthand, the urgency and gravity of this matter is deeply personal to me.

Child exploitation and grooming are reprehensible crimes that have devastating, long-lasting effects on victims and their families. The rise of extensive child grooming gangs across our country, specifically Pakistani grooming gangs, has raised grave concerns. It is in this context that we ask for the initiation of a wide-ranging national inquiry into these child grooming gangs.

From Rotherham to Rochdale, numerous reports have shown that criminal gangs are exploiting vulnerable young girls. In fact, a significant 19,000 children were exploited in just one year (2019) confirm the National Crime Agency. This speaks volumes about the scale of the issue and it's time we placed it under the national spotlight.

This investigation will lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the patterns, strategies, and systems supporting these gangs. It will aid in sharpening our policies and strengthening local and national response mechanisms. Moreover, it would provide an indication that we, as a society, are unwilling to turn a blind eye to these horrendous crimes, and are poised to fight back.

Now is the time to act; not just for the sake of past victims, but for the countless innocents who remain at risk. Let us unite, give the victims a voice and protect our children from this deplorable crime. Please sign this petition and call for a national inquiry into child grooming gangs. Stand with us for justice, and for a safer future for all our children.