The abuse of vulnerable Asian girls, mostly from traditional Sikh and Muslim backgrounds, in the UK is being missed by authorities because of a focus on white victims, said a new report released today.
"Unheard Voices: The sexual exploitation of Asian girls and young women", based on research by Muslim Women's Network UK, found that Asian girls, and some boys, are hidden victims of child grooming gangs as they mostly do not report attacks because they are frightened to bring shame on their families.
"I knew we would uncover cases, but I was shocked at the numbers coming forward and the horrific nature of the crimes," said Shaista Gohir, head of the Birmingham-based network.
"What we discovered is that these sexual predators will target any girls who are vulnerable and accessible, regardless of their background, ethnicity or faith," she said.
The network fears police and social services may be too focussed on a model of grooming involving white victims after recent convictions of Muslim gang members who groomed young white girls.
"Grooming" refers to actions undertaken with the aim of befriending and establishing an emotional connection with a minor in order to exploit the person for sex or labour.
According to the Guardian, researchers gathered evidence over a five-month period from professionals in charitable organisations and social services, police and youth workers to uncover 35 cases of young Asians who said they had been victims of abuse.
