Unsubstantiated allegations of cultural links to sexual abuse whip up Islamophobia
Article by Sabby Dhalu, Secretary One Society Many Cultures
In the wake of recent convictions for sexual grooming and rape in Derby three myths have been fostered by sections of the media and some politicians.
Firstly, that young Muslim men have a tendency to be paedophiles, sexual groomers and rapists due to their cultural background; secondly, that citing ethnicity as a causal factor for sex crimes stops racism, and finally, that there has been a ‘conspiracy of silence ‘on the issue of grooming by Pakistani heritage men, which some politicians and newspapers are now bravely trying to break.
These myths must be exposed and challenged. They do nothing to protect the victims of sexual violence; they only serve to give legitimacy to racist views and organisations.
