The kind of wrongdoing alleged to have taken place
in Rotherham now seems to be not just a matter of human error.
If the report in the Guardian is correct, and a researcher
was put in fear of her life by threats of collusion between police officers and
criminals, then that would be a serious matter for the criminal courts.
There is a world of difference between failing to see child
abuse happening – which can occur all-too-easily to well meaning people of integrity
– and deliberately trying to cover it up, which is a grave criminal act
meriting serious punishment.
