Soham mistakes ‘repeated by social workers’

Typically, young girls are reluctant to speak out against ‘boyfriends’

Youngsters are being left at risk from paedophiles because of an ignorance of child protection law among social workers, new BBC research suggests. The Real Story programme spoke to over 50 local authorities, over half of whom were under the mistaken impression that to prosecute men sexually involved with under 16-year-olds they needed an official complaint from the girl.

Some admitted that cases where the girl said the relationship was consensual were not always passed on to the police.

The findings suggest the failures in the child protection field brought to light in the Ian Huntley case are still at large.

There is a danger that social services won’t alert police about a case because they know no prosecution will result Social worker (name withheld)

In total, North East Lincolnshire social services looked into four separate complaints that Huntley had sex with underage girls – one was just 13 – and an allegation of indecent assault on a 10-year-old.

Yet the cases were never linked together and the Soham killer emerged without a conviction.

A decision was made not to involve police in one of the incidents when, in March 1996, the girl denied the allegation.

North East Lincolnshire council has now changed its system of referrals but the Real Story survey has highlighted flaws still present in social services around the country.

Fundamental misunderstanding

One social worker who did not wish his local authority to be named told the programme that “there is a danger that social services won’t alert police about a case because they know no prosecution will result.”

Another, from the South West, showed a fundamental misunderstanding of the law in saying: “The law prevents prosecution without a complaint from the young person.”

Researchers spoke to social workers sharing this misconception in every major English region and in several Welsh authorities.

Social services at a local authority in the South-East revealed the police twice refused to pursue cases of sex with an under-aged girl until they threatened the force with a complaint.

Penny Thompson, of the Association of Directors of Social Services, said the problems needed to solved with a multi-agency approach.

“I think the importance of good relationships between the police and social services can’t be underestimated. It’s absolutely critical in the area of safeguarding children that we have very good, effective, trusting arrangements.”

It is widely believed that the Bichard Inquiry into the Soham murders, to be published later this month, will recommend police and social services do more to protect vulnerable children.

Real Story: BBC One, Monday 10 May 2004, 1930 BST and live on the Real Story website