Darren Millar MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, has written to Baroness Anne Longfield CBE, Chair of the Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs, calling for Wales to be fully incorporated into the inquiry's work.
The letter underlines the recent convictions in Rhyl, Operation Oak in Gwent, evidence heard by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse relating to Swansea and testimony from survivor Emily Vaughn about abuse and trafficking within Wales.
Mr Millar warns that the absence of any Welsh locations from the Inquiry's programme of local investigations risks leaving Welsh victims without the same opportunity to be heard as those in England.
Darren Millar MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said:
"Wales must not be an afterthought in the UK Grooming Gang Inquiry. Victims of these sickening crimes in Wales deserve exactly the same opportunity to be heard as victims in England.
“It would be indefensible if Welsh survivors were overlooked by an Inquiry that has the opportunity to expose institutional failings and ensure lessons are learned.
"Recent convictions in Rhyl, the ongoing Operation Oak investigation in Gwent, evidence relating to Swansea and the courageous testimony of Welsh survivors all demonstrate that organised child sexual exploitation has affected communities across Wales.
“These cases must not be treated as somehow less deserving of scrutiny.
"I have written to Baroness Longfield urging her to ensure Wales is fully incorporated into the Inquiry's work.
“Victims have waited far too long for answers and we must establish whether public bodies in Wales failed to protect vulnerable children so that those responsible are held to account and such horrific crimes can never be repeated."
