1. The need for accurate profiles of the nature and extent of child sexual exploitation has been recognised since the 2013 reports on child sexual exploitation by the Home Affairs Committee and the Children’s Commissioner.[1]
2. In March 2015, following a report by the Chair of this Inquiry on Rotherham, the Cabinet Office produced its Tackling Child Sexual Exploitation plan.[2] In recognition of significant gaps in knowledge about child sexual exploitation, Home Office funding was provided from 2015 to 2018 to support the production of regional problem profiles (a form of data analysis), coordinated through regional and organised crime units.[3]