The people of Rochdale respond to BBC drama Three Girls

Photo: BBC

Maxine Peake as sexual health worker Sara Rowbotham in Three Girls

The people of Rochdale responded to the first episode of BBC drama Three Girls that was aired on Tuesday night.

The drama is based on the true stories of victims of sexual abuse which was brought to light in 2012; nine men of Pakistani and Afghan origin were found guilty of child sex charges after targeting vulnerable girls in Rochdale and Heywood.

All of the victims were under-age white British girls, and accusations were made that the authorities had failed to thoroughly investigate the issue amid fears of being accused of racism.

Over the course of several years, the victims, who were aged between 13 and 17, were systematically raped and abused by the group. Displaying classic grooming behaviour, the men plied their young vulnerable victims with alcohol, food and money in return for sex. On some occasions the girls were beaten if they didn't agree to have sex and on others they were so drunk that they didn't know what was being done to them.

The men, most of whom knew each other, would pass some of the girls around between them and even paid some of the victims to bring them new girls.

Sara Rowbotham, portrayed by Maxine Peake, played an instrumental role in getting the girls’ voices heard after she spent years recording and reporting cases of child abuse as a sexual health worker for Rochdale Crisis Intervention Team before she was made redundant. She is now a Labour councillor.

William Howarth, who co-founded the Parents Against Grooming UK group with Deena Higgins, said: “The programme for me confirmed what we already knew. I think I can speak for most in this group that were very angry there’s been no accountability for those charged with helping these vulnerable children, regardless of upbringings and flaws.”

Clive Maynock said: “A full and far reaching enquiry at the highest level is needed. I honestly believe the only way we can get to the truth and the levels of covering up that clearly went on is for a high level independent enquiry with no restrictions on access to people or files. This is highly embarrassing for our town, our council and very damaging for child care social services. I'm sure significant changes have been made and hopefully this can not happen again.”

Jean Hamer said: “It is horrifying and the reaction and attitude of social services and police are not deterring the attitudes of predators to young and vulnerable girls. I am sure, despite the sentences, that this is still happening.”

Amanda Hughes said: “The issues have been going on for years and years. However, the programme highlighted a very important issue of child exploitation in society. I raised the discussion in my household, which is what we want; parents need to be having the discussion with their children that this behaviour is not okay.”

Robert Hampson said: “Three Girls made me sick: what went on in our very own town under the police and social services noses is disgusting. Girls getting drunk on free vodka then getting abused like pieces of meat. It makes my blood boil that there are men out there that did - and still do - this stuff..”

Laura Taylor said: “[It was] harrowing, sad and shocking. It upset me how the girls were let down by the system.”

Andy Mason said: “It was very hard to watch emotionally, but informative in showing how quickly things can get serious and dangerous.”

Dionne Woodall said: “Mothers do have the talk with their kids but it shouldn’t take a tv programme for them to bring it up in conversation. What happened to the poor girls was horrible and I don’t wish it on anyone, but from a young age you should be telling your kids, not just because of a tv programme.”

May Hazeldine said: “I found it very, very disturbing viewing. I can’t believe it goes on so near home or anywhere.”

Jessica Moss said: “It was shocking how the girls were treated. The people who let them down need to be charged with neglect. The programme had me feeling ill and in tears with the suffering those poor girls went through.”

Michael Turner said: “I hope the programme being aired leads to those that chose to ignore it being held accountable for their actions by being dismissed, even prosecuted, in some cases. Even if only to protect the future of other children that may get caught up in this kind of issue.”

Caroline Anne said: “Whilst horrific, the programme has brought this important matter and crimes committed to vulnerable girls to the public attention. It also reveals significant failings in the police system that allowed this abuse to continue. It should make us all aware of the importance of reporting and speaking up to bring people to justice. I have much admiration for the leader of the sexual health team for her courage and advocacy, despite being put down.”

Jacki Ferguson said: “Nothing changes: it has just got easier for the abusers to cover up, I’ve seen it as an 80s kid. Friends trying to drag friends into the same sort of thing. This was going on in the 80s with asian taxi drivers, so in all honesty it's never stopped in thirty years plus.”

In May 2012, nine men were convicted and charged at Liverpool Crown Court with offences including rape and sexual assault, conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child and trafficking a child within the UK. They were all ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and received sentences ranging between four and 19 years in prison.

Ringleader Shabir Ahmed was given a 19-year sentence and also jailed for 22 years concurrently in July 2012, for raping another child 30 times over a decade.

As of February 2017, Ahmed and three other gang members Adil Khan, Abdul Aziz and Abdul Rauf, were facing deportation to Pakistan after five different appeals were dismissed. They had challenged government moves to strip them of their British Citizenship, with three arguing the Government had failed in a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of their children.

Three Girls continues on BBC One at 9pm Wednesday and concludes on Thursday.