Grooming gangs and our moral fabric

News

The grooming gangs scandal has tragically exposed how vulnerable young people can be exploited when societal values designed to protect them break down. At Coalition for Marriage, we believe in championing frameworks that protect, empower and restore dignity to all young people. Our hearts go out to the victims of these horrific crimes, and we ask how as a society we can do better to prevent such exploitation in the future.

In The Spectator magazine this week, Catherine Lafferty explores how the normalisation of underage sex in Britain over the past 30 years, by what she calls the “teen sex lobby”, has eliminated the lines of defence for vulnerable young girls. Beginning with the landmark 1985 Gillick judgment, state agencies have systematically excluded parents from knowing what is going on with their teenage children. A presumption has developed that sex between teenagers is consensual, leaving them exposed to predators and those of ill-intent.

It isn’t just about age, though. The deeper problem is that young people are being taught that ‘consent’ is all that matters when it comes to sexual relationships, carrying that unhealthy, one-dimensional outlook into adulthood. No one is teaching young people how an approach rooted in commitment and the value of self-worth enables them to recognise their intrinsic dignity, equips them to say “no” to unhealthy pressures and fosters long-term, respectful relationships built on mutual trust.

This is about more than just education — it’s about the moral fabric of our communities. The redefinition of marriage and shifting societal norms have contributed to the early sexualisation of children, exposing them to concepts and experiences that are often inappropriate for their age and development. By contrast, teaching based on the centrality of commitment and restraint offers a better way — one rooted in the timeless principles of real marriage. By re-centring traditional families and reinforcing the value of love and commitment, we can build stronger, more protective communities for the most vulnerable.

Let’s stand together in calling for a better way — one that respects young people enough to teach them the value of marriage, commitment and love. These are things our state institutions such as police and social services, and our schools, should get back to supporting, promoting and protecting. Together, we can make a difference for future generations.