I am not happy with that headline. But it was the only way we as the Asian community and in particular Pakistani males are going to take part in any sort of intelligent debate.

In recent days we have seen a plethora of comment pieces exploring the issue of sexual grooming. We are now at a crossroads.

Either we can ensure a whole generation of Pakistani men are tainted with this notion that they are in some way guilty for the crimes of a few or we look beyond such stereotypical notions.

On these very pages more than ten years ago, long before any cases of sexual grooming of young girls was mainstream news, I recollect reading about issues with Pakistani males having less respect for white girls.

I read about how a minority looked to ply young girls with drinks and then use and abuse them.

Since then I have seen many instances where members of the Pakistani community have spoken out against such crimes. Yes, we admit wholeheartedly that particular crimes are being carried out by a certain section of a particular background.

So, why are we in state of mind where a British member of parliament can write in a national newspaper that ‘Britain has a problem with British Pakistani men raping and exploiting white girls.'

Barring that headline I agreed whole heartedly with what Sarah Champion Labour MP for Rotherham and Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities wrote about the issue of sexual abuse.

We all have a duty to ensure that any abuse against white girls or for that matter any young girls is tackled. The perpetrators of these crimes should be locked away.

It is also our duty to support the police in their investigations. It is not racist to investigate these crimes and the authorities should not feel in any way that they cannot arrest someone due to someone’s race.

I am sure the majority of Asians who read this, in fact no, all members of the Asian community will agree that this should be case. But wasn’t this actually always the case?

Who knows of any Pakistani who has stopped the police from investigating any crime committed to one of their own?

And when did Pakistani’s become this community that was in some way harbouring sex criminals?

It is clearly insulting when we are told that we have in some way contributed to the crimes of these men due to our silence. Are we now simply going about looking to tarnish a whole nationality and background due to the crimes committed by a few?

Is this how our future in this country is going to play out?

To suggest that in some way this is a problem that is manifested within a culture is in fact racist. This theme breeds on the familiar historical rhetoric of ‘dirty Pakis’ and ‘dirty immigrants.’ I’m sorry to use those terms but we live an age where as I mentioned intelligent debate even from our elected politicians is not possible.

Take also the words of Nazir Afzal whom we have great respect for.

He wrote in the Daily Mail this weekend about how "The same sickening attitudes towards women in Pakistan and India are now held by growing numbers in British towns and cities – with white girls seen as the lowest of the low."

He went on to say, “Many of those involved in child grooming are in loveless marriages. They've been made to marry a girl from their homeland to satisfy extended family and they work hard in low-paid jobs. They often get up in the middle of the afternoon and work through the night six days a week.

“This humdrum existence causes pent-up frustrations that quickly turn into aggressive behaviour towards those with more freedom and choice.”

The piece was headlined, “Will my Asian community NOW end the vile misogyny behind the latest child sex gang scandal? No, too many think they still have to licence abuse.”

Now, Nazir Afzal has championed the rights of victims for many years. And I agree he makes many valid points about the perpetrators and their backgrounds.

But this is descending into a dangerous situation where we are forgetting about the horrific crimes committed against the victims. This is now becoming an effort to ensure that Pakistani males are now seen as a constant threat to white girls.

Many writers have come to this conclusion because they see the increase in the conviction of Pakistani males involved in sexual grooming. But at what point did we look to blame Pakistani and Asian culture for this?

This is clearly where the issue becomes less of finding a solution but more to finding a simple scapegoat.

If we can blame Pakistani culture we can drive home the notion that the community is a threat to young white girls. Not criminals…but ordinary Pakistani males. It is a problem within the WHOLE community.

It is difficult to write these words in the present climate without being seen to be appeasing shocking levels of crime. Of course we don’t. We never have. No community condones any of these actions.

What I find equally unsettling in recent weeks is the notion that the sexual abuse of children is very much a ‘Pakistani thing.’
No, the Asian community is NOT burying their heads in the sand. They are NOT becoming all defensive.

But let us not ignore some other harsh facts too.

Asking for the Pakistani community to do more against sexual abuse is like asking your average white family to look at why middle-aged men travel to South and East Asia to abuse young boys.

An industry that remains shrouded in mystery and one still largely ignored by the authorities. Largely ignored by the government both here and abroad due the sensitive nature and the impact it will have on other countries tourism industry. Am I now myself guilty of stereotyping a whole nation and in particular a certain group of men?

This is not about trying to highlight one crime and make one less important. It is about looking for a solution that does not denegrate a whole culture and community.

The British Pakistani community is not to blame for the sexual abuse of young white girls. The vile criminals who carried out these actions are.

Let us remember that.