In the early 2000s, a 15 -year -old teenage girlplaced in an institution in Bradford at Britain“Married” Raja Zulkurnean, a British Pakistani, in an Islamic ceremony. According to the BBC, the ceremony took place in the presence of its main social worker, despite the warnings of staff to exploit the young girl.
Zulkurnean, today, 43, was found guilty on Friday (03.10.2025) in Britain for ten rape and nine sexual attacks on the teenager. Was sentenced to 23 years in prison after appeal. The court heard that she was forcing the victim to wear Islamic clothes, to follow a hallowy diet, isolated her from her family who considered “unfaithful” and sometimes locked her in a cellar, where she lacked her with food, care and education.
According to West Yorkshire Police, 7 other men were also convicted of the same case.
‘Institutional scandal’
The victim, in an interview with the BBC, denounced “something much more than a case of abuse”, describing the case as a “institutional scandal”. “I was married to a villain. How was it possible for a child to get married? Social services have allowed it, “he revealed.
Between 2002 and 2004, police recorded 101 getaway from the young girl. Every night, many cars arrived in front of the institution, their plates were forwarded to the authorities without effective intervention. Other men also abused her, including Basarat Haliki, who had already been imprisoned for sexual offenses and was again sentenced to last June.
Weaknesses of institutions and claim accountability
The victim’s lawyer, David Greenwood, accused social services and the police of closing their eyes: “The staff knew that serious crimes were committed, not only against this girl but also against others. That had to stop immediately. “
The victim recalled that other teenagers had reported similar abuses. “The women who have received justice for the last fifteen years have only represented one small part of the victims,” he said.
National Research on Sexual Exploitation Gangs
West Yorkshire police have recognized “serious omissions” in protecting minors, assuring that it has since invested in prevention and investigations. Bradford’s head of the City Council, Susan Hindslif, has officially apologized, acknowledging that the authorities did not protect the victim “as he should”.
The British prime minister announced the launch of a national survey of gangs that exploit sexual children in England and Wales. The research will have new binding powers to collect testimonies and the obligation of the institutions to work together.