The Leader of the Welsh Conservatives has called on the Plaid Cymru Welsh Government to ensure Wales is included in the UK Government's grooming gangs inquiry, warning that Welsh victims must not be overlooked.
Darren Millar MS urged Ministers to make representations to the UK Government to ensure evidence from Wales is studied. He also called on the Welsh Government to establish a Wales-specific inquiry into the role of devolved public services if Wales is excluded from the UK investigation.
The Welsh Conservative Leader said victims deserve answers about whether schools, local authorities, health boards and other public bodies failed to protect vulnerable children and that lessons must be learned to ensure such horrific crimes can never happen again.
Darren Millar MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said:
"The grooming gangs scandal was not confined to a handful of towns in England.
“We know organised child sexual exploitation happened in Wales, Welsh victims suffered appalling abuse and there are serious questions about whether public bodies did enough to protect vulnerable children.
"Victims deserve confidence that no stone will be left unturned in uncovering the truth.
“If the UK inquiry is not going to investigate Wales, then the Welsh Government must establish a Wales-specific inquiry into the role of devolved public services, including schools, health boards and local authorities.
"There is evidence that vulnerable children have been failed by the very institutions that should have protected them. It is unforgiveable that warnings were ignored and victims were dismissed because people avoided having uncomfortable conversations that could have raised the alarm about safeguarding concerns.
"Lessons must be learned to ensure these horrific crimes can never happen again."
