People who were groomed and sexually abused as children, then later prosecuted for crimes linked to exploitation, are still facing long term harm.
Background of the issue
A senior investigator who led a national inquiry into grooming exploitation cases has raised concerns about the way past convictions are being handled. She previously urged authorities to cancel convictions of victims who were punished for offences committed while they were being abused.
The government has introduced a law aimed at pardoning certain prostitution related offences involving children.
Concerns over the current approach
The investigator described the current policy as an easy solution that avoids deeper action. She believes the existing process lacks care and structure, leaving many survivors without justice. In her view, the response so far has not met the needs of those affected.
Government response
They also encourage affected individuals to contact the official body responsible for reviewing potential wrongful convictions.
Survivor experience
Despite being a child at the time, she was arrested multiple times and treated as an offender.She received her first conviction at 17 for offences linked to street solicitation.
she did not understand what was happening to her and was labelled in court as a sex worker. Years later, she recognises she was being exploited and raped throughout that period.
She says the system failed to protect her and instead punished her for actions linked to abuse.
