A documentary titled Britain's Forgotten Girls sheds light on the widespread sexual and criminal exploitation of young girls by drug gangs over the past two decades. The film features the stories of multiple victims, including Christine, a 13-year-old who was targeted by a 23-year-old man through a group chat. Christine, who had recently moved to a new area and felt isolated, interpreted the man’s attention as a form of affection, though he was ultimately involved in her exploitation. The documentary reveals that grooming—where predators build trust with young victims—often begins at ages 12, 13, or 14, and is frequently followed by sexual abuse. Many of the girls in the film describe being raped by older boys who had previously befriended them, leaving them feeling powerless and stripped of their sense of autonomy. Some victims attended school the next day after the abuse, struggling with overwhelming emotional trauma. Christine recounted how perpetrators would sometimes allow others to abuse her without setting boundaries, and in some cases, the abusers would watch from the sidelines. The experiences varied depending on the specific circumstances, but the pattern of manipulation and exploitation was consistent. Victims also describe being ignored or dismissed when they tried to report the abuse to authorities. Violet, who was 13 when she was raped by members of a local drug gang, was reported to the police by her parents. Despite evidence, including DNA swabs showing multiple perpetrators, social workers classified the case as parental neglect—a label Violet strongly disputes. When she later contacted the police for an update, she was told they had "bigger fish to fry." An anonymous female police officer from another force suggested that there is a culture in which girls are blamed for putting themselves in dangerous situations. Experts and child advocates have criticized institutional failures, pointing to a lack of willingness among police, local councils, and social services to address the exploitation of girls by gangs. The BBC reported that social workers often misclassify cases of sexual abuse involving young girls as parental neglect, possibly due to insufficient training or high workloads. These systemic issues have led to missed opportunities in helping at least 16,500 children at risk. Despite past inquiries and reports, including a 2013 national investigation and a 2025 audit, the issue of girls exploited by drug gangs has not been adequately addressed. The documentary highlights the ongoing challenges in protecting vulnerable children from exploitation and abuse.