Pakistani activist Khadija Khan says that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is stopping people from talking about grooming gangs. Khan spoke to GB News about how some people think discussing these issues is radical and offends the Pakistani community.
Khan said, “We shouldn’t be ashamed to talk about facts, especially when they affect people inside and outside our community.” She believes that acknowledging the facts, including the disproportionate involvement of Pakistani men in grooming gangs, is crucial.
Khan also talked about the mindset in her community regarding Western women. She said that people are taught to view Western women as “immoral” and “fair game.” Khan thinks that this mindset plays a role in the crimes committed by some Pakistani men.
Many people in Khan’s community are afraid to speak out against these crimes because they fear repercussions. At the same time, politicians and authorities are silencing discussions about the issue. Khan believes that putting the victims at the forefront of the issue is essential to making progress.
Khan’s comments come after Starmer accused some politicians of “amplifying what the far-right is saying” about child sexual abuse. Khan thinks that Starmer’s comments are silencing the debate and stopping people from discussing the issue.
Overall, Khan wants to raise awareness about the issue of grooming gangs and the mindset that contributes to these crimes. She believes that open discussion and acknowledging the facts are necessary to address the problem.