A review into how a group of paedophiles in Rochdale was allowed to continue could lead to legal action from its victims.
The review yesterday heard how social workers, police and prosecutors had missed opportunities to stop exploitation of young girls. The review is hearing evidence about the abuse of girls by a group of nine Asian men.
The gang was tried in May of this year and received jail terms of between four and 19 years.
The review into the case heard how vulnerable girls as young as ten were targeted by a gang of men who groomed them for rape and sexual abuse. Now a solicitor representing some of the abused believes that it is highly likely that they will sue.
"I think based on the evidence in this report it is very likely that we will be going forward with legal action," he told ITV's Daybreak program.
"It is fairly unusual for social services to be sued. It does happen but it is fairly unusual," he added.
The report into the Rochdale scandal looked into how the council, police, NHS and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) look into safeguarding children at risk of exploitation.
"While some organisations were consistently supportive in their response, overall child welfare organisations missed opportunities to provide a comprehensive, co-ordinated and timely response and, in addition, the criminal justice system missed opportunities to bring the perpetrators to justice," the report concluded.
It is also thought that the chief executive of Rochdale council, Jim Taylor, will face questions about why the local authorities failed to catch the perpetrators of the horrors.
Keith Vaz is chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee.
"As part of its ongoing inquiry into grooming, the committee will be recalling the chief executive of Rochdale Council to explain why social services missed opportunities to stop the exploitation of vulnerable girls," he said.
Sources:
Rochdale abuse: Council chief faces MPs' questions (BBC News)
Rochdale abuse scandal: Victims likely to sue (The Independent)
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