The BBC Panorama investigation into the Oxford grooming gang has shone a light on something survivors have been telling us for years. Whilst a number of convictions were secured following Operation Bullfinch, many survivors still live with the knowledge that men they say abused them remain in their communities. For some, that means seeing them in the street. For others, it means constantly worrying that they might.

People often think justice ends with a conviction. For survivors of child sexual exploitation, the trauma does not disappear when a prison sentence is handed down. It does not end when media attention moves elsewhere. Many survivors spend years trying to rebuild their lives whilst carrying the long-term impact of what happened to them as children.

Imagine trying to move forward knowing that, at any moment, you could walk into a supermarket, a café or a shopping centre and come face to face with the man who groomed, exploited or raped you. For many survivors, that fear is very real.

At Switalskis, our Abuse Compensation team has spent many years representing survivors of child sexual exploitation, including survivors of organised grooming and exploitation in Oxford. We act for individuals who were failed not only by perpetrators, but by the institutions that should have protected them. Our work has included claims arising from organised grooming scandals across England and Wales, holding local authorities, police forces and other agencies accountable where safeguarding failures allowed abuse to continue.

We hear repeatedly from clients who feel that whilst some perpetrators have been brought to justice, many others have not. Survivors often tell us they provided names, descriptions and information to the authorities, only to later encounter those same individuals in their communities. Whether all of those allegations could ever have resulted in prosecutions is a matter for investigators and the courts. What cannot be ignored is the impact on survivors who continue to live with the belief that those who harmed them have never been held accountable.

The Oxford scandal remains one of the most disturbing examples of institutional failure in modern Britain. Numerous reviews and investigations identified serious shortcomings in the way vulnerable children were protected. Warning signs were missed. Opportunities were lost. Children who should have been safeguarded were instead left exposed to horrific abuse. That history matters because survivors are still living with the consequences today.

One issue that receives far less attention is what happens after convictions are secured. Survivors are often expected to simply get on with their lives. Yet many remain frightened of encountering perpetrators in their local area. Even where restrictions are imposed, survivors frequently tell us that they do not feel reassured.

The Panorama investigation raises difficult but important questions. If survivors are still identifying men they believe were involved in their abuse, and if they continue to feel unsafe in their own communities, can we honestly say enough has changed?

That is why the forthcoming Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs is so important. The inquiry presents an opportunity to examine how organised child sexual exploitation was able to take hold in communities across the country and why so many vulnerable children were failed by the institutions tasked with protecting them. It must look beyond what happened and ask why it happened, who failed to act, whether lessons have genuinely been learned and what needs to change. Most importantly, it must listen to survivors.

For too long, many survivors were ignored, disbelieved or blamed. Their voices should not be an afterthought in this process. They should be at its heart.

At Switalskis, we are proud to represent a significant group of survivors participating in the inquiry. Many have waited years to be heard. Many are still searching for answers. All deserve the opportunity to tell their stories and to help shape meaningful change for future generations.

No survivor should have to walk through their hometown wondering whether they are about to come face to face with the person who abused them as a child.

Yet for many, that remains an everyday reality.

The courage shown by those who spoke to Panorama must be acted upon.

Find out how Switalskis can help you

Every survivor of abuse deserves justice. That means holding perpetrators fully accountable, and it also means ensuring survivors are supported to reclaim their voice, rebuild their sense of control, and pursue the compensation they are entitled to for the harm they have suffered.

At Switalskis, our specialist abuse lawyers have decades of experience in representing survivors of child sexual exploitation. We understand that such cases are very emotional for clients and often legally complex, therefore we are dedicated to providing a supportive and professional environment in which our clients can feel confident in our services. We are committed to ensuring our clients receive the compensation they deserve.

If you have been impacted and would like to discuss your experience in confidence, our specialist abuse team can help. Call 0800 1380 458  or email help@switalskis.com.