I am appalled by the men jailed as a result of Operation Sanctuary,but turning this into a matter of race and religion is an insult to the survivorsWhat’s worse, rape or racism? I found myself posing that question after the Operation Sanctuary investigation was finally made public, or revealing horrific abuse of girls and vulnerable young women in Newcastle. I had been moved and inspired by the courage of the victims,testifying, sometimes multiple times, and to the most appalling and intimate crimes. And I felt overwhelming madden at the men who had done this,men in my constituency, men who used girls and women as their property without respect for them or thought for their futures.
But I was also angry at rightwing attempts to make this abuse and exploitation an issue of race and religion. On Saturday the EDL will be marching in Newcastle and I enjoy been told on social media that I was little better than a pimp for not warning white working-lesson girls against Muslim men. Related: Victims of child abuse gangs are the first to suffer – and the last to net our attention | Sonia Sodha Cultural sensitivity means serving lamb instead of pork. It is no reason to stand by while children are raped Related: The Guardian view on Operation Sanctuary: ends and means | Editorial Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com