Seven men linked to a horrific child grooming ring in Rochdale are finally facing justice. This case shines a spotlight on not only the depravity of these predators but also the colossal failures of our social care system, which shockingly labeled a 10-year-old girl as a prostitute, abandoning her to a nightmare of abuse.

The ringleader, Mohammed “Boss Man” Zahid, along with six accomplices, groomed vulnerable young girls from 2001 to 2006, subjecting them to relentless sexual exploitation. These girls were treated like commodities, passed around among dozens of men for years. Zahid, a market trader, met his victims while operating a lingerie stall, using gifts to lure them into his web of manipulation.

The systemic failure is staggering. Zahid, brazenly confident in his untouchable status, even picked up one of his victims from a children’s home with no fear of consequences. Victim after victim recounted the horror of being abused by countless men, left unprotected by the very system designed to safeguard them.

In a shocking revelation, a now-adult victim discovered her local authority had branded her a prostitute when she was merely a child and yet failed to take decisive action to protect her. As she put it, the ones who were supposed to care for her did nothing, leaving her to suffer at the hands of her abusers.

The sentences handed down by the Manchester Crown Court reflect the severity of their crimes: Zahid received a staggering 35 years, with accomplices ranging from 12 to 29 years behind bars. Their denials and lack of remorse further underline the chilling nature of their actions.

Greater Manchester Police are right to celebrate these convictions, but they highlight only part of the problem. The council responsible for social services claims to have undergone reforms, but their track record raises significant concerns. The community demands not only accountability but actionable change to ensure that no child ever faces such neglect again.

This case is a wake-up call. We must demand rigorous oversight and accountability within our social services to protect our children. We will not rest until justice is served and these abominable acts are rooted out from our society. Our children deserve better—it’s time for us to act decisively and protect the most vulnerable among us.