Dispatches Season 24 Episode 29
Dispatches
Season 24

Ep 29. Britain's Sex Gangs

  • PG-13
  • November 7, 2011
  • 48 min
  • 6.0  (20)

In season 24 episode 29 of Dispatches, titled "Britain's Sex Gangs," the show delves into the troubling issue of grooming gangs in the UK. The episode explores how these gangs, largely composed of older men and targeting vulnerable young girls, have been able to operate for so long and with so little intervention from law enforcement.

Through interviews with survivors, families, and experts in the field, Dispatches sheds light on the harrowing experiences of those who have been preyed upon by grooming gangs. The show explores the tactics used by these groups to manipulate and control their victims, often through a process of "love bombing" in which girls are showered with attention and gifts before being coerced into sexual activity.

Dispatches also examines the ways in which race and ethnicity have played a role in the grooming gang scandal, with a focus on the reluctance of some authorities to pursue cases for fear of being accused of racism. The show highlights the fact that while grooming gangs have been documented across a range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, there has been a particular reluctance to investigate cases involving groups of Pakistani and Bangladeshi men.

The episode features interviews with individuals who have been speaking out about the issue for years, including Nazir Afzal, the former Chief Crown Prosecutor for the North West of England who brought about the prosecution of the notorious Rochdale grooming gang. The show also speaks to Sarah Champion MP, who has been campaigning for greater action on grooming gangs in Parliament, as well as representatives from the police and social services who have worked on cases related to grooming gangs.

Throughout the episode, Dispatches raises important questions about the shortcomings of the criminal justice system and the ways in which institutional racism and cultural biases may have contributed to the failure to adequately address the issue of grooming gangs. The show also highlights the bravery of survivors who have come forward to share their stories and demand justice for themselves and others who have been victimized.

Overall, "Britain's Sex Gangs" is a powerful and urgent piece of investigative journalism that shines a light on a deeply troubling aspect of UK society. It is an important call to action for authorities and society as a whole to confront the issue of grooming gangs head-on and to provide support and justice for those who have been impacted.

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Description
  • First Aired
    November 7, 2011
  • Content Rating
    PG-13
  • Runtime
    48 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.0  (20)