How committed is our society to safeguarding women and girls? There is a strong cultural consensus that condemns and outlaws all forms of sexual violence, which is supported by legislation.
And yet, assaults against women and girls continue to occur. Every instance is a scandal that gravely damages the sense of security that every woman is entitled to.
As a man, I wouldn’t hesitate to stroll to the stores after dark, but my wife and girls would be wary due to the threat that other men pose. I’m going to do my best to fix it.
Increasing victim support was one of my top priorities as Chancellor. Including 1,000 independent sexual violence counsellors and 24-hour help for rape victims, we will invest £192 million annually in victim care by 2024–2025.
Additionally, I provided funding for Operation Soteria, a revolutionary new enforcement strategy that puts victims first and lessens the intrusion of police inquiries in order to bring more offenders to justice.
But we need to keep going. The fact that the authorities frequently turn a blind eye to sexual violence that takes place in marginalised communities represents a moral and practical failure of our so-called civilised society.
The recent report on child exploitation and grooming gangs in Telford was just the most recent in a long line of inquiries and investigations into the widespread rape of young girls by criminal gangs.
This has occurred in numerous towns and cities throughout the UK.
It has a long history, and there is no question that it is still in effect today.
What infuriates me more than anything is the fact that the authorities in these areas have stood idly by while the most heinous crimes have been committed, and this is supported by abundant evidence.
These grooming groups may have prevented thousands of females from being subjected to rape, drug addiction, and coercion.
To reveal the extent of the abuse, people like Sarah Champion, the Labour MP for Rotherham, and the trailblazing journalist Andrew Norfolk had to make heroic efforts.
They have been charged with racism and cynicism as a result.
Sarah Champion was removed from the Labour front bench by her own party because they deemed it “incendiary and reckless” to even bring up grooming gangs.
The survivors who have spoken up about the horrific atrocities that were done to them are the bravest of all.
Neither should we believe that sexual coercion and home rape are things of the past.
Although it can occur in any community, the police and social services unquestionably have a harder time controlling it in the more outlying ones.
Public authorities, including Parliament, must show a stronger level of resolve if Britain is serious about combating these scourges.
Repeat offenders make up a large portion of sexual assault offenders.
One time only. If I’m elected prime minister, I’ll give gang members harsher penalties and more post-incarceration oversight.
It’s time to prioritise the needs of victims over those of offenders.
Although rehabilitation is a noble goal, it should never be pursued if it puts women at risk.
In order to track down the criminal gangs that continue to rape and exploit girls throughout Britain, I will instruct the National Crime Agency to form an urgent team.
It is important to deport those predators who have been identified as foreign nationals; the Bill of Rights that I will pass will make this process simpler.
Victim support must receive far more attention, which calls for increased funding as well as a more open public dialogue to end the silence.
I entered politics with the intention of doing good, but improving things requires more than just invention and development.
It involves having the will to battle evil.
Until it is eradicated, sexual violence against women and girls needs to be treated as a national emergency.