In a new report, Forgotten and Failed, Barnardo's examines what has happened to protect children in London from sexual exploitation since its 2005 report Meeting the needs of sexually exploited young people in London. The report finds:
- Sexual exploitation is not a formal police priority in London.
- The Sexual Offences Act 2003 has not succeeded in bringing sufficient perpetrators to justice.
- Most sexually exploited children in London do not have access to a specialist support service.
- Vulnerable young people are ending up criminalised because they are too scared to name their abusers.
- As a result, many of the capital's most vulnerable children are still at risk from sexual exploitation.
Barnardo's is working in partnership with the Metropolitan Police and Local Authorities throughout London, but report that despite these efforts only three specialist services exist in the whole of the capital.