3. It exposes the extent of the police failings

The programme doesn’t skirt around the failings of the criminal justice system. It makes it the primary factor in the girls’ continuing trauma. While many were systematically abused, the authorities turned a blind eye.

Exposing the true danger of victim blaming, we see Holly attempt to seek help before being dismissed as a ‘child prostitute’, and girls being questioned for their ‘lifestyle’ choices by authorities. When Holly goes to the police, they arrest her for criminal damage, and when she explains she’s been raped, she is questioned about how many times she’s had sex before.

We see how so many don’t understand how being groomed takes hold, when Holly’s own father says: “If you get raped you don't go back for more”.

She doesn’t go home because she’s terrified.

And we see the problem with victim stereotyping, that has no understanding of the true vulnerability of women who are trafficked and groomed. The programme shows that, yes, trafficked girls are sometimes sexualised and aggressive, embracing danger to escape their situation. They’re not always angelic, virginal young women. And this does not mean they are not victims, nor that the authorities should protect them less than girls who are angelic. Like 21^st Century slavery, the Rochdale and Rotherham cases exposed underlying class bias that is cemented in our society and criminal justice system.

While the girls in Rochester names over 20 men involved in the sex gang that they were being groomed by, just 11 were taken to trial by the CPS, and the girl witnesses were ruthlessly grilled by the defence counsel.

The vile treatment of the girls by the authorities is palpable in Three Girls, asking viewers to question their own internalised discrimination. It humanises the victims and takes them from being just a number, or ‘Girl A’ – one of the most famous in the abuse cases – to being living, breathing children with as much a right as anyone to a fair life.

4. It doesn’t shy away from race issues

During the press exposure of the grooming rings, the race of the abusers – Muslim men of predominantly Pakistani descent – was discussed as having been brushed under the carpet by people who feared appearing racist, thus allowing the abuse to continue.

Ignoring the men’s ethnicity was also said to have badly impacted the Pakistani community and led to racist protests by the EDL surrounding the trial.

Louise Casey, who led the report into the abuse into the Rotherham case, stated that “Rotherham's suppression of these uncomfortable issues and its fear of being branded racist has done a disservice to the Pakistani heritage community as well as the wider community. It has prevented discussion and effective action to tackle the problem. This has allowed perpetrators to remain at large, has let victims down and, perversely, has allowed the far right to try and exploit the situation.”

In Three Girls they tackle this head-on, unafraid to face the issue. And yet, they do so with incredible sensitivity – a difficult line to toe.

5 reasons you have to watch BBC’s latest drama, Three Girls