This statement is on behalf of victims, survivors, their family members and others adversely and directly affected by Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) in Rotherham. In this preparation stage, the RTC asks any interested media sources to direct their questions to Lead Commissioner Mary Ney and RMBC Chief Executive Sharon Kemp. (RMBC – Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council). The first two questions the RTC would like responses to are: 1 Will RMBC Assistant Director, David McWilliams, please explain how he received the original communication about the so-called “independent, expert guidance” that he emailed the co-author of Voices of Despair Voices of Hope about on 15.9.15? There is strong evidence that the “expert” was NOT INDEPENDENT and NOT an expert in CSE. A RMBC internal review published on 15.1.16 of the response to a Freedom Of Information (FOI) Request submitted to Commissioner Malcolm Newsam on 16.9.16 revealed that Jean Imray, the Interim Deputy Strategic Director of CYPS, had told at least one lie in the FOI response. Despite this, officers at RMBC refuse to identify the “expert”. 2 Will RMBC Strategic Director of Children & Young People’s Services (CYPS), Ian Thomas, provide “the meaningful consultation … to ensure victims/ survivors receive timely and confidential support in future”? On 2 December 2014, Ian Thomas wrote that this “meaningful consultation” would take place “between now and next April”. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. What did victims, survivors, their family members and others adversely and directly affected by Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) in Rotherham need from those newly appointed to RMBC after the Jay Report was issued in August 2014: Efficiency, Truth, Competency, Integrity and Humility? Instead of this, there is substantial written evidence of: Procrastination, Evasion, Incompetency and Dishonesty and Arrogance. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. The official launch of the RTC is planned for 15 September 2017. This will allow a period of time for thorough preparation of evidence. This period of time will also allow Lead Commissioner Mary Ney, and RMBC Chief Executive Sharon Kemp, another opportunity to engage with representatives of victims, survivors, their family members and others adversely and directly affected by Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) in Rotherham. On 26 May 2017, an information sheet about the preparation for the launch of the RTC was sent to Sharon Kemp. On 1 June 2017, an offer was made to the Head of Information Management at RMBC (bearing in mind what was said about The Seven Principles of Public Life in a meeting on 15 February 2017) to allow individual RMBC officers and/or commissioners to have sight of any relevant documents being published in the public domain, so that personnel at RMBC could fact check for truthfulness. On 16 June 2017 this request was declined. This decision followed from shocking recent behaviour (and perceived arrogance) of the Assistant Director, Customer, Information and Digital Services, who in November 2016 intercepted private emails to Councillors and intervened in private communications with Councillors. On 17 June 2017 a petition was launched: https://www.change.org/p/sharon-kemp-chief-executive-ask-david-mcwilliams-and-ian-thomas-rmbc-officers-to-tell-the-truth?source_location=minibar It is the intention to provide regular updates to this petition, if necessary until the launch of the RTC. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Voices of Despair Voices of Hope is a 40 page publication of the voices of victims, survivors, their family members and others adversely and directly affected by CSE in Rotherham. Background information about Voices of Despair Voices of Hope can be found here: http://real2.org/voices-of-despair-voices-of-hope-28-february-2015/ Note: This statement is available here as a pdf: http://real2.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Media-Statement-on-Behalf-of-the-Rotherham-Truth-Campaign-RTC-21.6.17.pdf