ster... to my SER Over the page:

My sisters help me through as I get the justice I deserve...

Suddenly, the floodgates burst open.

‘Yes, he abused me as a kid,’ I blurted.

Jody broke down and held me.

‘Oh, Rebecca, I had no idea,’ she cried.

Dave had never done anything to her – she and Katie, 42, had been spared his sick abuse.

‘You have to tell Michelle,’ she urged me.

I refused. I wanted to spare her the hurt that I felt.

Then, in October 2015, me, Michelle, Jody and Katie decided to get matching tattoos.

We each got the infinity sign etched on our feet – a symbol of our sisterly solidarity.

A week later, Jody suddenly posted something on Facebook.

It was a picture of Dave and she’d labelled him a pervert.

My secret must’ve eaten away at her and she’d snapped. I didn’t blame her. It’d tortured me for years. Later that day, Mum, Katie and Michelle came round. They’d seen Jody’s post. ‘He hurt you, didn’t he?’ Michelle sobbed. I nodded. ‘I should’ve known, I could’ve stopped it,’ she cried. It wasn’t her fault, though. ‘Please go to the police,’ Michelle encouraged.

I knew I had to listen to her. But it took a few days for me to find the confidence. Giving my statement to police, I worried I wouldn’t be believed. By now, nearly 20 years had passed.

‘You’ve done the right thing,’ Michelle promised.

Eventually, Dave was arrested.

But waiting for the case to reach court was torture.

Now my secret was out in the open, I felt vulnerable.

In March last year, it all became too much and I wanted to end it all. ‘Think about the kids,’ my husband begged. He was right. I couldn’t let Dave destroy me, I had to be strong.

Eventually, in March this year, Dave Paul, 51, appeared at the Old Bailey.

He denied everything, so I gave evidence behind a screen.

I was shaking with nerves, but being strong paid off.

The jury found him guilty of indecent assault and inciting a female under 14 to commit an act of gross indecency. He was sentenced to four years in prison and put on

the sex offenders register.

Justice.

I feel like I have closure. What Dave did to me is unforgivable. At the time, he was a young, good-looking lad. But just because he didn’t look like a pervy creep, didn’t mean he wasn’t one! I don’t blame Michelle for bringing Dave into my life. Instead I’m grateful to her, as well as Jody and Katie, for helping me through this. We’re closer now than ever.

I couldn’t let Dave destroy me, I had to be strong