Letter: Important that victims and survivors of grooming gangs are able to speak out and know they’re not alone

It has been going for a couple of weeks and the evidence shared has been incredibly difficult for many to hear.

However, it’s vital that survivors and others have this platform to speak and be heard.

We should feel ashamed that this depraved abuse of young girls has been allowed to happen and it is still happening.

The inquiry is finding evidence of advanced links between dozens and dozens of towns and cities.

The grooming gang inquiry has started unearthing evidence of British children being trafficked abroad.

Calls have been made for a national investigation into the alleged overseas trafficking of victims connected to organised sexual exploitation.

Rupert Lowe has my full support and admiration, and I am glad to say that local politicians Alex Easton, Carla Lockhart and Jim Shannon were brave enough to be some of the first to add their support to such a worthy cause.

It is so important that these poor victims know that they are not alone and that the people are behind them.

These proceedings may lead to private prosecutions, as our government seems reluctant to carry out a free unrestricted national inquiry.

Downing Street has now issued final approval on court records to be destroyed.

I would urge everyone to follow Rupert Lowe on X, as mainstream media is not covering the inquiry.

It is quite eye opening.

Stanley Kerr, Dungannon