Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of victims of grooming gangs in England and Wales; what proportion of the perpetrators involved in such gangs they estimate to have been Muslim; and what assistance they provide to victims of such gangs.

The Government has estimated that there were approximately 6,850 victims of organised child sexual exploitation in the UK in 2015. This estimate includes organised child sexual exploitation committed by groups and gangs within a range of contexts. There is no data that delineates crimes which might be described as “grooming gang” offending from other forms of child sexual exploitation.

Government does not hold data on the religious beliefs of offenders.

The Government attaches the highest priority to tackling all forms of sexual exploitation and to ensuring that all victims and survivors get the protection and support they need.

The Government provides funding for support services across the country to help victims and survivors cope and recover. Funding for specialised rape and sexual abuse support services has increased this year by 10%, totalling £24m over the next three years. In 2019/20, the Government will also provide around £68m to PCCs to commission emotional and practical support services for victims of crime in their area. £4.7m of this funding is ring-fenced for supporting victims of child sexual abuse and exploitation.