Survivors of an Oxford grooming gang have revealed that they continue to encounter men they allege sexually abused them, years after the crimes occurred and with many perpetrators reportedly still at large. Some survivors estimate that "hundreds" of individuals involved in the abuse remain free, a sentiment echoed by an ex-police detective who led the initial investigation.

For the first time, two survivors, identified as Sarah and Chloe, have publicly shared their experiences. Sarah, who stated she was sexually abused and given heroin from the age of 11, noted that while three men were convicted and jailed in 2020 for their roles in abusing her, the justice came too late for her life, which has been marred by addiction and periods of incarceration. "I think they should stay in there forever, because obviously they've taken my life," she told BBC Panorama.

Chloe also shared that she frequently sees some of her abusers in public spaces, such as supermarkets. "It's difficult because this is where I live, it's where I grew up. There is a few of them that I've seen a few times, even just in the supermarket, driving around," she explained, describing feelings of sickness and coldness upon these encounters. Many survivors, like Chloe, have chosen not to engage with police investigations.

A third survivor, Rachel, who was abused between the ages of 12 and 15, was a key witness in a 2013 trial where seven men were convicted in connection with the Oxford grooming gang. This trial shed light on the trafficking and rape of at least six girls over eight years. Subsequent investigations identified many more victims, with estimates in 2015 suggesting over 370 children were affected. Rachel stated that for years, police did not believe her accounts, and she feels the investigations have not been sufficient.

Thames Valley Police has asserted that it works diligently to investigate offenders and support victims. A spokesperson encouraged anyone affected to come forward, stating, "It is never too late to come forward." The force added that it will listen and provide support to victims, survivors, and their families.

Grooming gangs, whose perpetrators were often older men of Pakistani heritage, exploited underage girls in several UK towns and cities, including Oxford, between the 1990s and 2010s. While a serious case review in Oxford found no evidence that police hesitated to act due to fears of being seen as racist, as had been accused in other cases like Rotherham, a national inquiry has been launched by the government to examine why vulnerable children were not protected.

Cycle of Abuse and Addiction

Sarah described how cigarettes given to her by her abusers were laced with heroin, leading to her lifelong addiction. She explained that the men who supplied her with drugs and alcohol then coerced her into sexual acts by claiming she owed them a debt. "They're like, 'well you know, you owe me this money now, so you're going to have to do this'," she recounted. She also detailed instances of being locked in houses and being outnumbered by multiple men.

Rachel also experienced a cycle of sexual abuse and drug addiction from a young age, including being trafficked to other towns for sex. She reported an incident where a police officer allegedly propositioned her while she was in a police van. Despite 21 men now convicted in connection with the Oxford gang, Rachel believes many others involved have not faced consequences.

Chloe, who was abused from age 13, described how the men would befriend her, buy her things, ply her with alcohol, and then coerce her into sex by stating she was in debt. She recalled being taken to flats where she and other girls were raped.

Lingering Impact and Calls for Change

Former senior detective Simon Morton, who led the initial Oxford investigation, acknowledged that the police force initially failed to grasp the scale of the abuse. "It's crazy, it's just ridiculous, the amount of people that were involved," Morton said, adding, "We should've done more. It's tragic." He believes this type of abuse is still occurring in Oxford. Morton noted the difficulty in identifying all perpetrators, especially when victims were drugged and subjected to continuous abuse. He also highlighted the challenge of encouraging victims to testify years later.

Sarah expressed the ongoing emotional toll, stating, "I've not been emotionally there for my kids, because I'm not emotionally there for myself." Chloe found that becoming a mother intensified her feelings about the abuse and her anxieties about her daughter's safety. Rachel emphasized that the public perception of justice being fully served is not accurate and stated, "I just want something on this scale to never ever be repeated again. It's the biggest scandal in a lifetime."