A DAMNING report on child sexual exploitation in the Bradford district underlines the importance of "keeping women and girls safe".

The 60-page report, called Child Sexual Exploitation Thematic Child Safeguarding Practice Review, gives an insight into child sexual exploitation in the Bradford district over a 17-year period between 2002 and 2019.

In response to the review, West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe, said: “We know that both boys and girls can be subject to child sexual exploitation, but the fact that the majority of cases in this review are female, only underlines the significance of the Mayor’s manifesto pledge to keep women and girls safe.

“We must make sure that the voices of victims and survivors of all types of exploitation are heard, ensuring their experiences contribute to the future partnership response.

“There is a clear collective responsibility to get this right and I absolutely welcome the role of this independent thematic review in scrutinising the approach and identifying the opportunities for learning for us all.

“Needless to say, the recommendations and findings it outlines will help inform the next Policing and Crime Plan for West Yorkshire, addressing the issues raised.

“Having been personally subject to sexual abuse in the past, I recognise the associated trauma and the fundamental support that victims and survivors require.

“We must remember this in all we do, and it is equally important for them to realise that they are not to blame, with help readily available.

“Only last week, for instance, the Mayor and I visited the state-of-the-art Sexual Assault Referral Centre in West Yorkshire, where I saw the excellent services on offer.

“There is, however, much more still to be achieved and I will continue to work closely with each of the key safeguarding agencies to encourage the necessary change.”