EPISODE · Jan 30, 2025 · 37 MIN
The truth about family abuse and grooming gangs
from The Northern Agenda · host Laudable
The scandal of grooming gangs targeting vulnerable girls in places like Rotherham and Oldham has dominated the news in 2025. But this week on the podcast Rob Parsons sheds a light on a sickening crime that’s had a lot less publicity. Child sex abuse by family members is far more common than most people think. But in one part of the North of England, West Yorkshire, the region’s mayor, a children’s charity and even a leading broadcaster want to help victims talk about their experience to stop other people going through the same ordeal they’ve had to endure. On a visit to the Leeds headquarters of Channel 4, which just hosted a powerful discussion about the need protect children from sexual abusers, Rob speaks to Emily Victoria, a businesswoman who confronted the abuse she suffered at her father's hands for a TV documentary. And Debra Radford of the NSPCC charity and West Yorkshire deputy mayor Alison Lowe talk about the region is aiming to lead the way on keeping girls safe. This episode might make you think a little differently about the recent grooming gangs coverage, particularly whether the media focus on a certain type of offending might be putting off the victims of other types of abuse from reporting what’s happened to them. For help and support on preventing and dealing with child sexual abuse and exploitation, you can visit www.nspcc.org.uk or www.channel4.com/4viewers/help/child-abuse-or-harm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What this episode covers
The scandal of grooming gangs targeting vulnerable girls in places like Rotherham and Oldham has dominated the news in 2025. But this week on the podcast Rob Parsons sheds a light on a sickening crime that’s had a lot less publicity. Child sex abuse by family members is far more common than most people think. But in one part of the North of England, West Yorkshire, the region’s mayor, a children’s charity and even a leading broadcaster want to help victims talk about their experience to stop other people going through the same ordeal they’ve had to endure. On a visit to the Leeds headquarters of Channel 4, which just hosted a powerful discussion about the need protect children from sexual abusers, Rob speaks to Emily Victoria, a businesswoman who confronted the abuse she suffered at her father's hands for a TV documentary. And Debra Radford of the NSPCC charity and West Yorkshire deputy mayor Alison Lowe talk about the region is aiming to lead the way on keeping girls safe. This episode might make you think a little differently about the recent grooming gangs coverage, particularly whether the media focus on a certain type of offending might be putting off the victims of other types of abuse from reporting what’s happened to them. For help and support on preventing and dealing with child sexual abuse and exploitation, you can visit www.nspcc.org.uk or www.channel4.com/4viewers/help/child-abuse-or-harm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The truth about family abuse and grooming gangs
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