Child Sex Grooming

Abstract

There was a recent trial of Asian men for sexually grooming white girls at the Old Bailey which led to their conviction in R v Akhtar Doggar and others (27/6/13). This has intensified the debate if this a ‘cultural’ crime and more prevalent in men from ethnic minorities. The accusation that it is culture specific has brought with it the risk of racial discrimination and breach of the Human Rights Act 1998, under the Right to a Fair Trial. The indictment for sexual grooming falls with the Sexual Offences Act Section 15 that concerns internet grooming. The theory that on street grooming, which consists of more than one offence is about the extracurricular sexual activities of the Pakistani immigrant communities needs examination as well as the dysfunctionality of the victims that present an opportunity for crime. There needs to be an assessment of the racial profiling and the transfer of guilt to Asian men and the possibility of racial bias in holding them blameworthy. The paper argues for an objective evaluation based on current research in order to separate the elements of the crime, understand the background of its commission, and for the ecological changes that will remove the dereliction of urban hubs where crime thrives.