How three victims of child sexual exploitation in Telford have helped save more kids
Work from Telford sexual abuse survivors has led to a major increase in finding children being exploited in the town, it has been revealed.
Today has seen Tom Crowther KC publish the two-year update on his harrowing 2022 report into child sexual exploitation in the town.
That report concluded more than 1,000 children had been victims of sickening abuse in Telford, that had "thrived unchecked" for decades.
In his update Mr Crowther KC praises the work of three abuse survivors – Holly Archer, Joanne Phillips, and Scarlett Jones – who have been working with Telford & Wrekin Council following the publication of the initial report.
He said: "They have devoted untold hours to this work and the results have been inspiring."
All three were exploited and trafficked as children in Telford and gave evidence to the inquiry.
It has now been confirmed that the trio's work with the council has seen detection rates for exploited child victims of modern slavery and human trafficking in Telford, triple in the last year.
Between 2023 and 2024, the number of children referred to the National Referral Mechanism by Telford’s CATE (Children Abused Through Exploitation) Team rose from eight to 33.
It marks an increase of 313 per cent since the survivors started working with professionals to help them spot the signs of trafficking in children.
The trio have also highlighted concerns over "inadequate and conflicting guidance" at national level following the publication of the 2014 Jay report, which examined mass child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.
All three have raised the issues with the relevant government departments.
Holly, who began the campaign for the inquiry in 2016, was first targeted in Telford at the age of 14 and was regularly trafficked around the West Midlands to be abused.
One key abuser made thousands a night selling her to other men to be raped.
She said: "Without the input of myself, Scarlett and Joanne, the recommendations were just words on paper, the risk of being signed off without being understood.
"We have been able to bring real life to the reason and the resolution for each recommendation.
"Telford and Wrekin Council have ensured we have been treated as equal partners in every process, which has meant they have made significant progress.
"It's important to remember that this isn't the end and exploitation evolves so, there will need to be continuous ongoing change and challenge.
"We are keen to support any other local authorities who are struggling to tackle exploitation."
Scarlett, a survivor of CSE from Telford, who first became a victim at eight years old and bravely went to court to successfully prosecute her perpetrator, played a major role in the initial campaign.
She helped select the chair of the inquiry and works closely with Holly at The Holly Project – a group which supports CSE victims and survivors
She said: "I feel like for the first time ever, we have been listened to.
"Changes have been made based on what we have said, I feel proud that I have been able to be part of this process.
"There is still work to be done, and I am keen to keep the momentum going to ensure that the children and young people in Telford are safe and free from sexual exploitation today and in the future.
"We have to be realistic, where there are children there will always be perpetrators and its down to each one of us to keep children safe."
Joanne's abuse began at 12 and culminated in her being trafficked across the UK.
One perpetrator – who sold her to multiple men – held her at gunpoint and threatened her with a crossbow while pregnant.
She said: "I am immensely proud that the council have managed to identify and plug these gaps within the statutory guidance, which now means that so many children will no longer fall through the net and will now be receiving the support that they need to be able to rebuild their lives and recover from such horrific levels of abuse.
"I hope that other local authorities follow by example and that the relevant government departments consider our proposals to address the concerns that were raised."
Eleanor Lyons, the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner has also been following the progress of the Telford inquiry and has been regularly engaging with the survivors.
She said: “The sexual exploitation of children in Telford was shocking and appalling. This survivor-led Inquiry highlights what must happen now to make sure this can never happen again. We must do all we can to protect children and young people from this horrific form of exploitation and hold the perpetrators of this heinous crime to account.
“I would like to pay testament to the brave survivors in this Inquiry for sharing their experiences to help prevent other children from facing this horrific exploitation. I have seen first-hand how this passionate and committed team of survivors are having nationwide impact and how these recommendations will help protect children from sexual exploitation.
“I look forward to continuing to work with survivors to make sure the lessons learnt from this inquiry are heard by policymakers.
"It is also why I am calling on the Government to establish a Survivor Advisory Council to hear the voices of survivors and guide its response to tackling modern slavery.”
