Technology ‘aiding abuse’
From there the friend contacted the NSPCC helpline on Beth’s behalf, who referred her case onto police.
Beth said: “I didn’t know what support I needed but I knew something had to happen for the abuse to stop.
“Some people don’t know how to receive support and especially at that age I didn’t know how to reach out.
“It was hard to speak about with anyone but to stranger it was easier to open up as they didn’t know me.”
After being supported by the children’s charity throughout the legal process Beth’s abuser was sentenced to three years in prison and placed on the sex offenders register.
But for Beth the time after his convictions was equally tough.
She said: “After the conviction my family still treated me like I was the person in the wrong for reporting him. I don’t believe they meant it intentionally but it’s how I was left feeling.”
Beth continued to receive support from the NSPCC after her abuser’s conviction. When things got too much to deal with, however, she resorted to other means of coping.
At the age of 18 she began drinking and self-harming, leading to several suicide attempts.
“I went into this path of destruction – I felt unworthy.
“I was going out too much, drinking too much, and feeling that everyone would be better off if I wasn’t around.
“I needed an outlet and that outlet was to harm myself.”
After several years without any support Beth realised her only way to get the help she needed was to get back in touch with the NSPCC.
She said: “The NSPCC were there in my darkest times when I was sui- THE number of men in Britain interested in sexually abusing children could be in the tens of thousands, a police chief has reportedly warned.
Simon Bailey, National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for child protection, told the Guardian 4,000 men in the UK were found to be using a single online chatroom by investigators monitoring a site this year.
The Norfolk Constabulary Chief Constable said: “I believe there are tens of thousands of men that are now going into chatrooms and forums with a view to grooming children. Technology has afforded an access to children that people who have a sexual interest in children never had before.”
Mr Bailey also warned that a lack of resources meant police could not tackle all offenders and officers had to priori- ONLY half of parents who bought their children an internet-connected gadget for Christmas will check who their children are speaking to online, new research claims.
A survey by children’s charity Barnardo’s has found just 55% of parents will monitor who their children speak to online, despite 88% admitting there are potential risks to children found in cyberspace.
According to the research, more than half of the devices bought – predominantly smartphones and tablets – were self- cidal and made me realise that everything that happened was in the past.
“They made me realise my thought process was wrong and that I didn’t need to end my life.
“It’s not overnight and it’s something that will always be a part of me. It wasn’t an easy time and there’s still a part of me which will slip back into old ways of thinking so the continued support they give me is invaluable.”
With a combination of support from friends as well as practising yoga and meditation Beth has been able to come to terms with what has happened to her. tise the most serious threats posed by perpetrators.
“Some lower-level offenders cannot be arrested and taken to court. There is just not the capacity,” he told the newspaper.
But he said that “thousands and thousands” of officers “still would not be enough” to deal with all child abuse offenders, adding: “This is one of those wicked problems we simply cannot arrest our way out of.”
Mr Bailey also called for a crackdown from tech giants on youngsters’ use of live streaming platforms such as Periscope and Facebook Live.
It comes after the NPCC and the National Crime Agency (NCA) launched a campaign to encourage parents to be alert to the dangers of live streaming and warn their children of the risks. for children aged 10 and under.
Barnardo’s chief executive Javed Khan said: “Internet-connected devices like tablets and iPhones can also come in the guise of harmless dolls or teddy bears and potentially allow strangers to pinpoint your address, obtain your child’s name and birthday, download their photograph, and even listen in on conversations. We are urging parents and relatives to ensure their children are as safe as possible by ensuring privacy settings are at maximum and that they monitor who their children are communicating with.”
Speaking about past relationships she said: “With any relationship you need that level of understanding so any problems I may face or dealing with poignant memory I will be supported by loved ones. If they’re not supportive they’re not the one.”
To help others in the same situation Beth, who is now in her 20s, now runs her own charity helping others build self-empowerment and belief.
She said: “Even if it is a family member who is abusing you you still need to speak out because, whatever relationship they are to you, what they’re doing isn’t right.”