A meaningful consultation with adult survivors of CSE (Child Sexual Exploitation) in Rotherham

Please also look at the petition transcript here: https://www.change.org/p/sharon-kemp-chief-executive-ask-david-mcwilliams-and-ian-thomas-rmbc-officers-to-tell-the-truth/u/21735097 A meaningful consultation with adult survivors of CSE (Child Sexual Exploitation) in Rotherham Four parts (at least): 1 The agreement to have a meaningful consultation 2 A decision about who would lead a consultation. 3 The structure of the consultation 4 Who has lead responsibility for adult services after the consultation Part 2 will be important and ideally there needs to be a pre-consultation, involving adult survivors and advocates about Part 2 and Part 3, the structure of the consultation. - There is no need to rush at this. From an email forwarded to Chris Read, Leader of RMBC, on 3 October 2017 – not yet acknowledged ........................................................................................................ Further extracts from email: ----- Original Message ----- To: Chris Read Cllr Sent: 03/10/2017 06:42:58 Subject: The potential for a real breakthrough with support for adult survivors of CSE in the near future ________________________________________ Hello Chris. The period of time since I spoke at the Rotherham Council meeting on 13 September has involved a lot of potentially positive activity in support of adult survivors of CSE in Rotherham. … there is a potential light at the end of a very long tunnel. I think you know that I regard issues around CSE and the lack of support for adult survivors as a serious hole below the waterline in the ship that is Rotherham. There could, at best, be a real plugging of this hole in the near future. Thoughts about a meaningful consultation with adult survivors of CSE I think there are four parts (at least) to this: 1 The agreement to have a meaningful consultation 2 A decision about who would lead a consultation. 3 The structure of the consultation 4 Who has lead responsibility for adult services after the consultation Part 2 will be important and I think that ideally there needs to be a pre-consultation, involving adult survivors and advocates about Part 2 and Part 3, the structure of the consultation. - There is no need to rush at this. Part 4 would be an outcome of Parts 1, 2 and 3. With regard to Part 2 (who leads the consultation), I think the following must be considered. A None of those who provided their voices for Voices of Despair Voice of Hope have any confidence in the Strategic Director of CYPS. B The ongoing active “case” re the Strategic Director of CYPS, including the involvement of the ICO and a possible legal case, would make it very unwise for him to be involved. C Those of us who attended the meeting in the Council Chamber on 6 September, and heard what “Child A” said, got an insight into how other adult survivors (not involved with Voices of Despair Voice of Hope) feel. Since 6 September, I have heard adult survivors talk about their hatred of the Strategic Director of CYPS. Having received the first e-petition response on 29 September (see attachment), I feel that the time really has arrived for an active practical demonstration of these values to adult survivors of CSE: • Honest – open and transparent in everything we say and do • Accountable – we own our decisions, we do what we say and we acknowledge and learn from our mistakes • Respectful – we show regard and sensitivity for the feelings, rights and views of others • Ambitious – we are dedicated, committed and positive, embracing change with energy and creativity • Proud – we take pride in our borough and the job that we do There could, at best, be a real breakthrough here.