Sara Sharif found dead with 71 injuries, was anyone held accountable?

In August 2023, Sara Sharif, a 10-year-old girl, was discovered dead at her home in Woking, Surrey, England. She had substantial injuries on her body, including bruises, burns, and bite marks, totaling at least 71 external injuries. The case has raised significant concern about child safety and welfare, particularly regarding home-educated children. Sara had been taken out of school in April 2023, and there are allegations that teachers were hesitant to question her sudden change in appearance, including the wearing of a hijab to conceal her bruises. This concerning situation was compounded by a lack of effective safeguarding measures in place for vulnerable children. In response to this case, the local MP has called for an investigation into the circumstances that led to Sara's tragic death. The Prime Minister has also emphasized the need for improved child protection and safeguarding measures for children, especially those being home-schooled. Furthermore, England's Children's Commissioner has criticized the current legislation that allows children at risk to be educated at home and advocates for legal changes to ensure that suspected victims of abuse cannot be removed from the school system. It has become clear that systemic failures may have contributed to not ensuring Sara's safety, and there is a growing consensus that significant reform is needed in the social care and education sectors to prevent such tragic outcomes in the future.