Bradford Crown Court this week saw the horrific case of a man jailed for sex abuse and ‘marrying’ a fifteen-year old girl, who was groomed and had been sexually abused by men from the age of 13, abuse that continued when she was in a Bradford children’s home.

Shockingly the wedding, which took place in the early 2000s, was also attended by the girl’s key social worker, despite concerns from care home staff that she was being exploited

The trial at Bradford Crown Court heard that following the Islamic marriage ceremony Zulqurnean forced the victim to wear Islamic dress, eat a halal diet and stopped her from seeing family because they were “non-believers.” He was also reported to have sometimes locked the victim in a cellar, sexually abused her and deprived her of food, education and medical care.

He was found guilty of rape and indecent assault and jailed in May for a minimum of 18 years but that was increased to 23 years by appeal court judges.

More than a case of horrific abuse, this is a clear example of the abject failure of social services in their duty to protect the girl. 

Speaking anonymously about her ordeal, she said: “This was far more than a grooming case. This was an institutional scandal and no one cared for my wellbeing. I was married to an abuser. How could a child marry? Social services enabled it.” 

Speaking to the BBC, She added: “I was on a care order but I wasn’t protected at all, and the systems that were meant to protect me enabled my abuse.”

According to a BBC report into the case, the victim’s former key social worker was questioned by police on suspicion of malfeasance in public office, but no further action was taken.

Savera UK CEO and Founder, Afrah Qassim, said: “This is a truly shocking case of abuse and violation of human rights, not just by the direct perpetrators of abuse but by the social care professional who allowed a child to be married and failed in their duty of care to her.

“We understand from working with professionals on the front line that identifying and stopping harmful practices can be challenging, but we work tirelessly to highlight that these practices can never be excused by culture or faith and that it is not culturally insensitive to call out abuse, it is a professional obligation.

“Although not illegal at the time of the marriage, this was always abuse and a violation of the girl’s human rights and her social worker should have been the person to protect and safeguard her from harm. The authorities failed in this and reading the survivor’s comments, it is clear that their actions and those of her abusers have had a devastating effect on her life.

“Child marriage is now illegal in England and Wales, under the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022, which makes it a criminal offence to do anything intended to cause a child to marry before they turn 18. 

“But many harmful practices that are wrongly excused as culture or tradition still happen in the UK and social workers and other frontline staff must do more to understand the indicators and respond appropriately to ensure that no-one suffers like this young woman has. This case highlights institutional failure that allows human rights violations to take place and cannot and must not be accepted.

“We commend the bravery of the women in speaking out about her abuse and being instrumental in bringing her perpetrators to justice. We stand in solidarity with her and hope that she is receiving the help she needs to move forward in her life.”

You can read more about the case here.