M10news|Crime News| UK | 1st Octomber 2025
Two women who endured years of sexual exploitation as children have described how the abuse shattered their lives, as the men responsible were sentenced in court.
One survivor told the judge that the offenders had “destroyed my life,” while another said her life had been “on hold for 20 years” as she struggled to cope with the trauma.
Emotional Statement to Court
In a statement read aloud by prosecutor Rossano Scamardella KC, one of the victims said she had battled the long-term effects of the abuse on her health, relationships, and mental wellbeing.
She explained that deciding to report the crimes to police had been “an emotional rollercoaster,” involving around 40 video-recorded interviews in which she was forced to relive the details.
“This has been, and still is, consuming my life,” she said. “But the jury finding these men guilty has given me hope I can take another step forward.”
Childhood Stolen
The same survivor told the court she felt she had lost not only her childhood but also part of her adulthood, as years of legal proceedings forced her to revisit her past.
“I hope one day I will be able to move forward with my life,” she added.
Survivor Urges Others to Come Forward
A second victim, referred to as Girl B, chose to deliver her statement from the witness box. She encouraged other survivors of child sexual exploitation (CSE) not to remain silent.
She explained that, as a teenager, she believed all men would demand sex, leaving her unable to recognise the abuse for what it was.
Coping Through Silence
“My way of coping was to block out most of what had been done to me,” she said. “I have carried shame and guilt all my life for what these men did.”
The survivor said she had struggled to trust the authorities until she met officers from the specialist CSE unit, who, she said, “believed and understood everything.”
Faith in Police Restored
She urged other victims not to be discouraged by negative comments online or in the press about reporting abuse.
“This is wrong,” she told the court. “If victims feel ready, they should go to the CSE team because they will do a good job. It doesn’t matter how much time has gone by — justice is still possible.”
Verdicts Brought Relief
The second survivor described the moment she saw the guilty verdicts delivered.
“The day I watched the verdicts changed my life. I instantly had a massive weight lifted off me. I now feel like I can live my life. I do not need to feel ashamed, and I have already started that process.”
Long-Term Trauma
Both survivors highlighted the lasting psychological scars caused by their abusers. They said the crimes had affected every aspect of their lives, from their sense of self-worth to their ability to form healthy relationships.
Courtroom Outcome
The men convicted were sentenced after a lengthy trial that revealed the scale of their exploitation. Prosecutors said the victims had been targeted when they were vulnerable and manipulated into silence.
Message to Other Victims
As the court proceedings closed, the women stressed that while justice cannot erase what happened, it can provide a path toward healing.
One survivor summed it up simply: “I have already lost my childhood. Now I want my future back.”
