Shocking report shows legal system has failed children in Wigan & Greater Manchester

The report entitled 'Real Voices' by MP Ann Coffey is a sad reflection of the way child sex abuse cases are dealt with in Greater Manchester (including Wigan) in the 21st century.

The report found here, covers many issues but we are highlighting a couple;

The conviction rates in Greater Manchester for sexual offences involving a child under 16 for the six years from 2008 to 2013, included rape, sexual assaults, gross indecency and sexual grooming is appalling.

'Compiled by the House of Commons library, the figures show that the total recorded crime for nine types of sexual offences against children under 16 in Greater Manchester was 12,879, and yet only 2,341 defendants were taken to court of those only 1,078 were found guilty'

There was criticism of Wigan’s safeguarding children’s board, they and other boards didn’t respond to requests for information...

'I wrote to the chairs of the Local Safeguarding Children Boards in February specifically asking about the incidence and trends of CSE in their areas. I was disappointed that only six of the ten LSCBs gave any figures and fewer than six responded to the question about trends in CSE in their area. I understand the reluctance to discuss numbers publically because of the fear of reputational damage, but if the public are to be better informed and if attitudes are to change, we require a greater degree of openness.'

In Wigan there has been an increase in victims in the last twelve months but as per the above no figures have been produced.