Switalskis child abuse compensation team has been working with survivors of the Rotherham grooming scandal for over a decade. During that time, our solicitors have repeatedly heard allegations not only of abuse by local gangs but also by South Yorkshire Police (SYP) officers serving at the time the alleged offences were committed

Amy Clowrey, Director and Solicitor in the child abuse compensation team at Switalskis comments: “We had hoped that these allegations would be unearthed as part of the National Crime Agency’s (NCA)  investigation into historical child abuse (Operation Stovewood). Then later, during the Independent Office of Police Conduct’s (IOPC) investigation into complaints and conduct matters relating to SYP’s handling of reports into non-recent child sexual abuse and exploitation in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, between 1997 and 2013. That never happened.”

Survivor testimonies detailed abuse

In response to the scale of these accounts, and to encourage SYP to take action, we compiled a report containing 30 survivor testimonies detailing abuse between 1997 and 2013 which was subsequently passed to SYP.

This followed requests dating back to 2022 for the authorities to investigate allegations of serious allegations into historical child sexual abuse and corruption by former police officers.

Amy adds: “It took until October 2024 for this matter to be passed to the Major Crime Unit of SYP, after it sat with the Professional Standards Department (which deals with conduct issues of serving officers, not criminality) for over 12 months. Prior to this, our calls for action were seemingly ignored.

“In addition, our requests for SYP to hand over the investigation to another, independent, police force to due to the risk of potential conflict(s) of interest and survivor engagement have been repeatedly rejected.”

The BBC has now covered the findings, bringing national attention to what we believe is one of the most serious institutional abuse scandals in the UK.

Key allegations detailed in the report include:

• Years of abuse by serving police officers, including physical and sexual abuse.
• Abuse of children, some as young as 11.
• Police supplying illegal class A drugs in exchange for money and sexual activities.
• Failing to respond to concerns raised by lawyers and survivors

We are now supporting calls for an independent investigation into the conduct of the police to help restore some level of trust and begin delivering justice for survivors.

National significance and lack of trust in justice

At least 1,400 girls in Rotherham were abused by gangs of men between 1997 and 2013, according to the 2014 Professor Alexis Jay Report. Despite this, allegations of police involvement have never been fully addressed.

A new criminal investigation into the role of police officers in the Rotherham rape scandal is being conducted by SYP’s Major Crime Unit, overseen by the police watchdog.

Since the matter was passed to SYP’s Major Crime Unit in October 2024, the BBC reports that three former officers have been arrested since December 2024 on suspicion of historic sexual offences - including attempted rape, indecent assault and misconduct in a public office. The crimes are alleged to have taken place between 1995 and 2004 while the officers were on duty as PCs. None have been charged.

However, many survivors told us they would not engage in the current SYP investigation, or any investigation by SYP into historical offences of child abuse, saying they have no trust in the force or faith in the justice system. For some, dealing with SYP is retraumatising and a number of our clients refuse to report more general offences against them because they do not believe they will be believed or treated fairly.

Independent investigation call

Professor Alexis Jay, who led the original inquiry into Rotherham, told the BBC she is “shocked” that SYP is investigating its own former officers and called for the criminal investigation to be handled by an independent force or body.

Our position is clear - an independent investigation is the only way to restore any level of trust and begin delivering justice for survivors.

Switalskis’ joint statement

In a joint statement, David Greenwood and Amy Clowrey, who lead on grooming gang case work nationally, said: “Switalskis has been representing survivors of abuse in Rotherham for over a decade. We were hopeful that following the criminal trials, and Operation Linden (run by the IOPC), that the alleged abuse by police officers would be unearthed and that there would be accountability. That never came. For years the authorities have resisted our requests for an investigation into the alleged criminality of police officers, despite us providing them with the accounts of survivors.

"Those that have suffered abuse in Rotherham have no faith that SYP will do a thorough job of investigating alleged abuse by their own officers. In addition, dealing with SYP is retraumatising for them, many of our clients refuse to report offences to SYP because they do not think they will be believed and because they were treated so badly in the past. This investigation must be handed over to an independent police force to ensure that survivors feel confident enough to come forward.

The accounts we have heard, which we expect are only a fraction of the full scale of abuse, are utterly harrowing.

"It is also important to note that the issues faced in South Yorkshire are not isolated and this should be a further wakeup call to the government to fully acknowledge the scale of child sexual abuse and institutional failings. The government must fulfil the recommendations within the final report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse and the more recent recommendations of Baroness Casey.

"Finally, we recognise the impact that stories such as this can have upon survivors of abuse and their loved ones. Anyone impacted by the story covered by the BBC can reach out for specialist support. There are a number of specialist organisations and charities out there, one of which is The Survivors Trust.”

Wider implications and leadership

The issues uncovered in South Yorkshire are not isolated. They highlight the urgent need for the government to fully acknowledge the scale of child sexual abuse and implement the recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) and Baroness Casey’s recent report. All recommendations must be implemented but we particularly welcome the creation of a Child Protection Agency, which would then be responsible for addressing and implementing all of the other recommendations.

For over 10 years, Switalskis has represented survivors nationally in cases of institutional abuse. We will continue to hold authorities to account and ensure survivors’ voices are heard at the highest levels.

Support for survivors

We recognise that reports like this can be deeply triggering for survivors and their loved ones. If you have been affected by the issues raised, you can reach out to specialist organisations such as The Survivors Trust .

If you experienced abuse as a result of rape gangs, sexual assault or misconduct by the police and would like to discuss your experience in confidence, our specialist abuse team can help. Call 0800 138 0458 or email help@switalskis.com email help@switalskis.com