Elham Asaad Buaras
A new report from Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND), released on February 27, argues that the term “Muslim grooming gangs” is inaccurate and perpetuates harmful prejudice. MEND’s report, titled Unmasking the Myth, challenges the widespread portrayal of child sexual exploitation as a uniquely Muslim or Asian issue, asserting that such narratives are misleading and contribute to the rise of Islamophobia.
Linsay Taylor, CEO of MEND, stressed that using child sexual exploitation as a political tool not only misrepresents the issue but also harms victims and deepens societal divisions. She noted, “The misuse of this topic for political gain is deeply offensive to everyone. Child sexual exploitation is a heinous crime that leaves lasting trauma, and it should not be reduced to a divisive political debate.”
The report cites multiple instances where politicians, including former Home Secretaries Sajid Javid and Suella Braverman, have emphasised the race and religion of those involved in high-profile grooming gangs. Braverman’s 2023 article in the Daily Mail, which claimed that “almost all” men in grooming gangs were of Pakistani heritage, sparked controversy. The paper later clarified that this claim applied only to gangs operating in Rotherham and Rochdale.
MEND points out that such statements contradict the findings of the Home Office. The government’s research revealed that most offenders in child sexual exploitation cases are, in fact, white men. The Home Office concluded, “It is not possible to draw any conclusions as to whether some ethnicities have a greater involvement in group-based offending compared to others.”
The report also critiques a now-defunct report by the Quilliam Foundation, which claimed that 84% of men in grooming gangs were Asian. MEND asserts that the Quilliam report, widely circulated by media outlets, suffered from significant methodological flaws. Dr. Ella Cockbain, a criminologist, described the report as “a case study in bad science,” arguing that it relied on a tiny, unrepresentative sample to make sweeping claims.
In 2020, the Home Office similarly criticized the Quilliam Foundation’s work for its lack of clarity on data analysis methods, rendering its conclusions unreliable. MEND’s report highlights the harm caused by these misleading narratives, warning that they fuel Islamophobia and reinforce harmful stereotypes.
MEND’s report also emphasizes the far-reaching consequences of perpetuating the “Muslim grooming gangs” narrative. By wrongly associating these crimes with specific ethnic or religious communities, it risks escalating hate crimes and far-right violence against British Muslims and other minority groups. The report draws attention to the surge of far-right attacks following the spread of false rumours about the identity of Southport killer Axel Rudakubana, including unfounded claims that he was Muslim.
MEND urges media outlets, politicians, and commentators to abandon the terms “Muslim” or “Asian” grooming gangs in favour of neutral language when discussing these crimes. The organization stresses that such terminology only serves to incite racial hatred and Islamophobia, undermining efforts to protect children and support victims.
Taylor concluded, “Politicians who use child sexual exploitation to score political points do nothing to protect children. Instead, they fuel division and advance harmful stereotypes. The focus must remain on supporting victims, preventing further abuse, and finding lasting solutions to safeguard all children from harm.”
MEND’s report calls for a collective response to this societal issue—one that prioritizes justice, the well-being of affected individuals, and the safety of all communities.
