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The Rotherham question

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19 September 2014 / Richard Scorer
Issue: 7622 / Categories: Features , Personal injury
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Where should the victims of the Rotherham abuse scandal seek compensation, asks Richard Scorer

Recent revelations about the sexual exploitation of 1,400 children in Rotherham have been truly shocking. But can the victims of these appalling crimes expect to receive compensation, and if so from whom?

Rotherham is one of several cases of child sexual exploitation to hit the headlines in the past two years. In all these cases the victims, typically girls aged 11 to 16, have been subjected to sexual exploitation by groups of men who use alcohol and drugs to lure them into abusive and violent relationships. Some of these men have now been convicted and further prosecutions are likely to follow. In many instances the victims have suffered extreme and potentially lifelong injury and damage, and as has been highlighted in media coverage, many currently lack any meaningful support to help with their ordeal. So it is unsurprising that many will look at the possibility of compensation.

Who to claim compensation from?

In theory, of course, the first target

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