Safeguarding Minister to meet Stormont Executive after 'appalling' grooming gangs review findings

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A child sexual exploitation scandal in Northern Ireland, first exposed by UTV more than a decade ago, helped inform damning research about the scale of the crime and failures by the authorities in England and Wales.
The audit by Baroness Louise Casey prompted Prime Minister Keir Starmer to launch a national inquiry into grooming gangs.
Although it doesn't include Northern Ireland and Scotland, the inquiry looks set to have major ramifications in Northern Ireland.
Deborah Hanna who lost her daughter Caitlin after being exploited has said a review in Northern Ireland needs to be carried out.
In another development, the government's Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips has said she will be meeting with the Executive on Monday to discuss ways to ''work together to protect children and bring perpetrators to justice''.
The Home Office says the findings of the inquiry will be shared with the devolved administrations ''including the Northern Ireland Executive, to support a joined up and robust approach across the UK''.
The sexual exploitation scandal in Northern Ireland related to young girls going missing from care multiple times.
Operation Owl looked at 20 cases. Initially, they were not connected when they should have been.
An inquiry was also ordered into the scale of the problem in 2014.
There was no organised exploitation like that found in Rotherham and Rochdale but it found that individuals with links to paramilitary groups may have used their influence to abuse children.
The inquiry concluded that child sexual exploitation was a ''significant'' and growing threat in NI.
Nexus NI provides support to anyone impacted by sexual abuse from the age of eight.
The organisation said it's time for a fresh look into the extent of the problem in Northern Ireland given the passage of time and due an increased threat from grooming gangs.
Chief executive, Joanne Barnes said: "Baroness Casey's audit has exposed uncomfortable truths about child sexual exploitation and abuse that demand immediate action.
"Failure to act regardless of the reason puts our children and young people at greater risk.
"Regardless of jurisdiction, our children, young people and all survivors deserve nothing less than complete transparency and accountability.
"It has been 10 years since the last report on tackling Child Sexual Exploitation was published here.
"Therefore, the time for a fresh and independent examination of experiences, systems and supports is now.
"Every day we spend asking 'should we look at this afresh' is another day our survivors will rightly demand, 'why didn't you?'"
That is echoed by Deborah Hanna – her daughter Caitlin was just 21 when she died from a drug overdose three years ago.
Her abuser – part of a grooming gang – who forced young vulnerable women into the sex trade on the streets of Belfast in exchange for drugs.
'"My daughter was used by her abusers so they could gain money and drugs." said Deborah.
"If I knew about the grooming, I think things would of been a lot different."
"A review needs to be carried out as grooming gangs are going to become a bigger issue."
The PSNI said it will identify learning to implement on the back of Baroness Casey's and from any planned operations in England and Wales.
In a joint statement the Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and Justice Minister Naomi Long said they are "appalled" at the findings of the Casey Audit.
They said they are "determined" to do all they can to protect children and young people in Northern Ireland from sexual exploitation.
The ministers added, "The Home Office has not yet consulted the Departments of Health orJustice on this matter.
"However, a commitment has been made that the Safeguarding Minister will follow up on the announcement of the inquiry with the devolved administrations.
"We will, therefore, consider the issues raised during that engagement and respond accordingly."