In the case of the nine men in Rochdale who were charged with rape and child prostitution, the national media focus quickly shifted to the ethnicity and cultural values of the men rather than the vulnerability of the young women they had abused. As Anne Marie Carrie, the new chief executive of Barnardo's, suggested at the time, we need to give more attention to this "hidden issue", and refocus the debate on the young people at risk of being exploited.
But I find it hard to believe that anyone who has knowledge of the care system can remain ignorant about the sexual exploitation of young people who grow up in care. It is allowed to happen far too often, and for far too long. And it's not only the young men and women who are introduced to the sex industry who are affected.
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