VOICE OF THE CHILD
Northamptonshire Police received a report in relation to concerns following a missing episode. As a result to speaking to the victim she went onto disclose that she had been subjected to protracted abuse and control over a two year period which started when she was just 13 years old.
RISE Police took over the investigation. A RISE Engagement worker was allocated to support the young person and a referral was made to Social Care. Follow up work was also undertaken by a Social Worker to support the family. The suspect was charged with 8 offences.
When it came to listening to the voice of the child, she expressed her wish that she ‘just wanted some control back’ she wanted to be in control of the choices being made and have a say. During the trial she read her own VPS (Victim Personal Statement) out in court, this was her wish.
A man from Norfolk was given a 12 year sentence for the grooming and sexual abuse of a child under 16 years old. A Sexual Harm Prevention order was granted and he will be on the sex offender notice for indefinite period.
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