Barrow Town Council has formally passed a motion to support a national inquiry into grooming gangs.
The council met last night and agreed to write to the independent commission, offering its full support and urge Barrow and Furness MP Michelle Scrogham, Westmorland & Furness Council and Cumbria police to also give the inquiry their backing.
It said it recognised that Barrow, like many other communities, had been affected by organised grooming gangs and local victims and survivors deserved truth, accountability and justice.
Council leader Andy Coles told last night’s meeting: “Firstly I speak as a survivor myself in moving this amendment as full disclosure in the debate.
“Group-based child sexual exploitation, committed by grooming gangs, is one of the most horrific crimes imaginable.
“Children as young as 10, exploited, abused, plied with drugs and alcohol, brutally raped by gangs of mostly men and then disgracefully let down again and again by the authorities who were meant to protect them and keep them safe.
“Those despicable crimes cause the most profound harm to victims and survivors throughout their lives. This scandal, and the abhorrent continuing crimes of child sexual exploitation and abuse that persist in this country today, are a stain on our society.
“Survivors’ voices need to be heard backed up by the independent commission that considers the evidence, data and referrals from local agencies, victims and survivors and members of the public.
“We should allow the independent commission and survivors to get on with the inquiry and hope that it’s started quickly.”
