Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Jeremy Corbyn appoints Rotherham MP Sarah Champion as shadow Minister for Preventing Abuse

The MP has previously campaigned for greater action against abuse in her constituency

Jon Stone
Thursday 17 September 2015 15:42 BST
Comments
Sarah Champion, the new shadow minister for preventing abuse
Sarah Champion, the new shadow minister for preventing abuse (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Labour MP Sarah Champion has been appointed as her party’s shadow minister for preventing abuse.

The MP for Rotherham will work in the party’s home affairs team and sit on its front bench.

Ms Champion has a track record of working to expose child sexual abuse and campaigning for greater recognition of the issue.

The MP was credited with taking up the campaign to expose widespread organised abuse in her constituency when the issue was given less national recognition than it is now.

A number of her suggestions for ending abuse have also been previously taken up by the Government.

In 2014 she secured extra funding from the Government to support the 1,400 victims of abuse in her constituency.

The Government also backed her idea of a national awareness campaign about child exploitation and the setting up of a national taskforce.

She has also suggested promoting sexual and relationship education at key stage 1 in schools.

“For years they were dismissed and belittled,” Ms Champion said earlier this year of the victims of abuse in her constituency.

Ms Champion was elected in 2012 at a by-election. Her counterpart in government is Conservative MP Karen Bradley.

“You know I’ll put my heart and soul into this,” she tweeted upon announcing her appointed.

Widespread child abuse took place in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013.

The appointment is one of the final finishing touches to Jeremy Corbyn's front bench.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in