A 16-year-old girl has been allegedly gang-raped by a Pakistani grooming gang. The incident occurred in the Hounslow area of London. According to police sources, a 36-year-old man befriended the minor and forced her to leave home. He then allegedly took her to his flat, where seven men gang-raped her. Around 200 Sikhs surrounded the man's house to rescue the minor. They raised slogans of 'Jo Bole So Nihal'. The incident has caused an uproar.
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Grooming gangs in London
Grooming gangs have been active in London for a long time. They allegedly first befriend minors and young women, then trap them in romantic relationships and rape them. According to the Sikh Press Association, the accused befriended the minor when she was 13 years old. He then gradually gained her trust. Finally, he trapped her in a romantic relationship and encouraged her to leave home.
Allegedly, when the girl ran away from home, the Pakistani man took her to his flat. He called six more Pakistani friends. They then allegedly raped the minor in the flat. As soon as this news came to light, around 200 Sikhs surrounded the flat. They began chanting slogans. Finally, the police arrived at the scene. They arrested the accused and rescued the minor.
Past research and public concern
According to 'The Guardian' report, research by Professor Alexis Jay revealed that between 1997 and 2013, these Pakistani-origin grooming gangs raped at least 1,400 minors and young women in Rotherham. A 2022 study also showed that child sexual abuse has reached 'epidemic' proportions across England and Wales.
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Last year, billionaire industrialist Elon Musk addressed the issue publicly, urging decisive action against Pakistani grooming gangs. He wrote on social media that innocent minors and young women had suffered horrific abuse, with many losing their lives, and called on the authorities to take measures to ensure justice for the victims.
