Minister says grooming of young is 'widespread'

The grooming of young people in Jersey is widespread, the incoming children's minister has said.

Constable Richard Vibert made the comment while answering questions from politicians as part of the process to be elected minister for four years.

He said he believed "that children were being groomed throughout the island, sadly".

He mentioned two situations he was aware of, but also said it was "an issue that goes beyond just those two groups of children".

During questioning in the States Assembly on Tuesday as part of the process of his being made minister, Deputy Karen Wilson asked Vibert about what he planned to do about "ongoing concerns about the grooming of children at La Passerelle."

La Passerelle is a school that was set up for children with social, emotional and mental health needs.

On La Passerelle, he said: "Well of course I don't think it's just these children, there are a much larger number in total."

"There are children being groomed throughout our island, sadly."

"And we have resources; we have people that specialise in that. And it is a problem, but, yes, there is a particular problem at La Passerelle and we will work with the education minister to understand that. "

"But this is an issue that goes beyond just those two groups of children."

Vibert also referred to a separate court case last year which revealed where children were exploited.

He said: "We saw last year in a case that was in court that 43 children have been groomed as part of a gang which actually nobody knew of prior to that.

"And I think that indicates just how big a problem this is and how we possibly need to look at how we can become aware at an earlier stage.

"Establishing who's being groomed and when it's happening is a difficult task, but it's not one that I don't think that we can do.

"I think we can do more and we need to look at how we do that."

Vibert said he would look at doing a review but did not say whether he would commit to one.

The BBC approached La Passerelle through the government department of Children, Young People, Education and Skills (CYPES).

CYPES told the BBC: "While questions have been raised about a specific school, it would not be appropriate to comment on individual schools, students, or alleged incidents.

"Parents and carers can be reassured that schools have robust safeguarding arrangements in place, including first-day responses to unexplained absences.

"Any concerns about a child's safety, wellbeing or whereabouts are followed up promptly and escalated where necessary.

"The risk of exploitation and grooming is taken extremely seriously by the Government of Jersey, schools, children's services, police, and safeguarding partners.

"Significant and comprehensive work has been undertaken across government and partner agencies to strengthen our understanding of the risks children may face outside the home and to further enhance safeguarding arrangements.

"This has included taking robust action where concerns have been identified and establishing a dedicated multi-agency working group to review risks, strengthen responses and drive continuous improvement.

"Grooming and exploitation can happen both online and offline. We encourage parents and carers to have regular conversations with their children about online safety, healthy relationships and how to seek help if they are worried about anything."

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