The News Agents The journalist who exposed the grooming scandal breaks his silence
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Jan 7, 2025 Andrew Norfolk, Chief Investigative Reporter at The Times, is renowned for exposing the Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal. In this compelling discussion, he reflects on the challenges of covering the grooming scandal and the political misuse of victim narratives. Norfolk reveals systemic failures in law enforcement and social services and highlights alarming instances where victims are treated as offenders. He emphasizes the urgent need for a thorough inquiry to address the deep-rooted cultural dynamics and ensure justice for vulnerable girls.
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Early Encounters
- Andrew Norfolk first encountered a grooming case in 2005, raised by MP Anne Cryer.
- The far-right exploited the case, leading Norfolk to initially avoid it due to its racial elements.
Rochdale Trigger
- In 2010, a BBC report on a Rochdale case triggered Norfolk's deeper investigation.
- His research revealed a pattern: most perpetrators in similar cases had Muslim names.
Starmer's Role
- Keir Starmer, then DPP, changed CPS guidelines after discussions with Norfolk.
- This led to a significant increase in successful prosecutions of grooming gangs.