Abused children were “treated like child prostitutes” by police, who viewed them as harassment.

Children as young as 11 were wheeled around in cars and trapped in homes with adult males who were later found to be abusing and passed around Rotherham

Many survivors of the Rotherham abuse scandal agreed to speak to police station investigators despite feeling “betrayed” by South Yorkshire Police.

They reported being treated like “child prostitutes” by “unsympathetic officials” who treated them as “harassment”.

The South Yorkshire Police Deputy Chief Constable told Sky News today: “Vulnerable children were not treated as children.”

Children as young as 11 were wheeled around in cars and trapped in homes with adult males who were later found to be abusing and passing them around.

One survivor told IOPC investigators: “I blamed myself wholeheartedly for the years of sexual abuse.

“Moreover, I was repeatedly told by the police that I was responsible for my own actions… I hated myself.

“I’ve believed throughout my childhood that I was a target of abuse because I’m both ugly and evil.

Another said: “The officers basically put us on paper as prostitutes.”

One survivor shared how she was blamed for her ordeal.

She said: “No matter what bad experiences I had, as a child I never worried.

“I can’t remember a single time when the police treated me like I was a vulnerable child. … I was 13 years old and had been told more than a dozen times that I was responsible for my ‘conduct’ because I had been sexually abused and exploited by several adult men.”

Many also shared their distrust of the police: “I have never trusted the police since. I just think my experience when I was younger doesn’t make any sense.

“I will never forget DC X as long as I live. She was terrible and her attitude was very abrupt.”

Another said: “We were treated like we didn’t matter.”

And another survivor said: “Nobody was to be trusted, how could the police be trusted when they treated us like child prostitutes and children in trouble.”

“I have been repeatedly told by the police that I am responsible for my own actions because I admitted myself as a victim.”

A survivor who was sexually exploited from the age of 14 and who frequently disappeared from her home and was cared for by her abuser, came into contact with officers many times three or four times a week.

She said, “Looking back now, I can’t believe how many times I’ve come into contact with the police and how many chances they’ve had to question me … but haven’t.”