IT WOULD appear increasingly likely that there has been a significant issue of child sexual exploitation and grooming going on unrecognised for a number of years.

The horrific case in Keighley last week which saw the brutal abuse and rape of a vulnerable girl has once again highlighted the issue.

But in recent years, there has undoubtedly been a more concerted effort to look into it – and various reports have indicated the problem is a relatively widespread one.

As part of efforts to tackle the issue, Bradford Council commissioned a play designed to raise awareness of the issue of sexual exploitation for young people. It has now been seen by more than 6,000 children.

Sadly, that has meant a further 12 cases of exploitation have been reported as a direct result of some of those young people seeing the play.

A DOZEN BRADFORD TEENAGERS REPORT CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AFTER WATCHING HARD-HITTING PLAY ABOUT GROOMING

That does mean though that the victims can be given the support they need, and any perpetrators dealt with through the legal process.

Only by continuing to shine light on this problem can we start to truly tackle it, and Bradford Council deserves praise for its brave approach in recent years.

The abuse of children by exploitative men is a truly despicable crime, and those responsible must face the consequences.

And their traumatised and damaged victims must be listened to from the start and given the full support they need to try to come to terms with their ordeal.

Hopefully, as the issue is brought out into the open more, there will be far fewer such victims in the future.