Leader of the Welsh Conservatives and Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has vowed to continuing fighting to protect children from predatory behaviour after the Welsh Conservative debate calling for a Wales-wide inquiry into grooming gangs was voted down.   
 

Across Wales, there is clear evidence that child sexual exploitation by grooming gangs has occurred, but the authorities do not know the full extent of the problem.
 
Speaking in the debate in the Senedd on Wednesday, Darren said the only way to get to the bottom of the problem is to have a Wales-wide inquiry.
 
He said:     
 
“Child sexual exploitation is indeed one of the most heinous crimes imaginable. It not only robs children of their innocence but it causes a lifetime of trauma for victims, particularly when perpetrators go unpunished. For that reason, we've all got a moral duty to ensure that those who commit these crimes do face justice, and that the survivors of those crimes are heard. 
 
“Three weeks ago, I was contacted by Emily Vaughn, that courageous survivor of sexual exploitation by a grooming gang, and she spoke to me about the horrors that she endured. Her experiences convinced me - absolutely convinced me - that this is a problem in Wales that is not going to go away with the current suite of actions that have been undertaken, and with the proposed actions that are being taken by the Government at present. It's for that reason that I believe the best way forward in order to get to grips with this issue once and for all, is to make sure that we have an independent Wales-wide inquiry into this issue.”
 
Labour and Plaid Cymru voted against the Welsh Conservative motion.
 
Speaking afterwards, Darren said:
 
“The Welsh Conservatives will continue to push the Welsh Government on this issue to ensure that our children can be protected from predatory behaviour and to secure justice for victims of abuse.”