SOUTH YORKSHIRE'S MAYOR RESPONDS TO PUBLICATION OF THE CASEY REPORT

Published 17 June 2025 at 9:09am

Responding to the publication of Baroness Casey’s National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said:

“We will of course look thoroughly at Louise Casey’s report and the government’s response, but I know Louise will have been fearless and unwavering in her commitment to justice. That was our experience of her work here in South Yorkshire, which challenged the systems in place at the time and the complacency that had governed the oversight and approach to child sexual exploitation. Since Louise’s intervention, the leadership, culture and approach to CSE in Rotherham has been fundamentally transformed. I am grateful to Louise for revisiting Rotherham as part of her work on this review, and continuing to reassure herself and us that those improvements continue.  
 
“But while we may have radically improved our approach here, I am determined we will continue to take a ‘no complacency’ approach that puts victims first. South Yorkshire has learned the hard way that transparency, accountability and a fearless victim-centred approach are the only way in which to properly tackle any instances of horrific sexual abuse perpetrated against children. I fully support the government in their efforts to make that a national endeavour, including the proper resourcing of both the Inquiry and its implementation."