Bradford & District | Archive | 2004 | March | 05
From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Friday 5th Mar 2004.
Families of young girls who have fallen victim to a sex ring are being urged to come forward.
A self-help group has been set up by parents fighting against the sexual exploitation of young women in Keighley.
And it is inviting anyone affected by the issue to attend a meeting next week.
The group was formed in the wake of "Operation Parsonage", set up by Keighley police to investigate sexual-exploitation allegations.
Keighley MP Ann Cryer claimed that gangs of Asian men were grooming girls, some as young as 11, to have sex with them. According to her office it had a list of 60 men alleged to have lured young girls into the ring.
A spokeswoman for Families Against Child Exploitation (FACE) said: "Is your life affected by your daughter or a relative being lured into the clutches of gangs of older Asian men for the purpose of under-age sex?
"If so don't think you are alone and the only person this is happening to.
"FACE is trying to fight this exploitation of girls and young women in Keighley. We are lobbying Parliament to have the laws changed to give parents the right to be the complainant in a case of older men grooming young, vulnerable, impressionable girls for under-age sex.
"This problem is nothing new to our town -- it has been happening for years -- but the situation is getting worse.
"Don't let this happen to your daughters; don't let this happen to you."
She said anyone affected was welcome to go along to the group's next meeting, at 35 Devonshire Street, Keighley -- the offices of local MP Ann Cryer -- on Wednesday, 7pm.
Det Chief Insp Terry Long will be there to answer questions and provide an update on "Operation Parsonage".
The spokesman added: "Come and meet him and have your say.
"Don't feel embarrassed or ashamed or that you will be judged."
we're all in the group for the same reason. Together we can make a difference."
She said girls groomed by gangs of men in the town centre - or by groups trawling school gates in cars - could be lured into drugs or prostitution.
Mrs Cryer has pledged her support to FACE.
She said: "Although the meeting is taking place in my office, FACE is non-political. However I will help the group in any way I can to achieve its aim."
© Newsquest Media Group 2008