A devastating safeguarding review has revealed that ten-year-old Sara Sharif was tortured to death by her father following a catalogue of systemic blunders by professionals who feared being seen as racist or 'causing offence'.
Missed Opportunities and Fatal Failures
The report, published by the Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership, found at least four crucial opportunities were missed to save 'a beautiful little girl with a lovely smile and a loud laugh'. Neighbors who heard bloodcurdling screams failed to report their concerns, admitting they 'feared being branded as racist, especially on social media'.
In another chilling instance, an occupational therapist visiting the home two years before Sara's murder noted that the eight-year-old was the only family member wearing a hijab but failed to question it. The review noted the therapist 'has reflected that she may have been reticent to talk about it for fear of causing offence'. Tragically, the head covering was later revealed to be hiding bruises inflicted by her father and stepmother.
A History of Violence Overlooked
Urfan Sharif, Sara's father, had a 16-year history of attacking women and children, yet the risk he posed was 'overlooked, not acted on and underestimated by almost all professionals'. Despite repeated accusations of domestic abuse, social workers, police and teachers failed to 'join the dots'.
In a brutal attack described by a crown court judge as the worst crime he had ever encountered, Sara suffered over 100 injuries before her death in August 2023. She was tied up, hooded in a plastic bag secured with parcel tape, and battered with a cricket bat, metal pole and rolling pin. Her neck was broken during strangulation, and she was burnt with an iron and bitten.
Shockingly, in the 24 hours before she was killed, social workers went to the wrong address to check on her. The report concluded that 'if Sara had been seen, it is likely that the abuse would have come to light'.
Calls for Accountability and Reform
England's Children's Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, stated that Sara was 'killed by those who should have loved her, but let down by every service'. She called for widespread changes in child protection, having seen similar cases over the past 20 years.
'This little girl's life matters more, means more and must be the line in the sand for change,' Dame Rachel declared.
Former child protection chief Simon Bailey emphasised that professionals must demonstrate 'professional curiosity' and not be swayed by parents or carers. 'The fact that she was wearing that hijab at such a young age, I believe should have set alarm bells ringing,' he said.
Following the report's publication, the head of children's services at Surrey County Council is facing calls to appear before MPs to explain why she accepted an £8,700 pay rise after her department's failings culminated in Sara's death. MPs have demanded the council's children's services be put into special measures.
Urfan Sharif and his wife Beinash Batool were both jailed for life in December after being extradited from Pakistan, where they had fled following Sara's death.
Terence Herbert, Chief Executive of Surrey County Council, said: 'We are deeply sorry for the findings in the report related to us as a local authority. We have already taken robust action to address those relating to Surrey County Council.'
