Story
Hi, I’m Heather
I would like to raise some money for the Bristol Children's Charity; I am hoping to complete a charity sky dive on Saturday 27th
April 2019. Can I hear you say OMG, but
would just like to explain a little bit of my background of why I am doing
this.
Right ok here goes ..........
I was sexually abused as a child from the age of 8 until I was 10 by my own father. I had for
years referred to this as my big secret which was finally aired when I was
sixteen, when I revealed my secret to my Mum who I felt very lucky to have
believed me. Very quickly things
progressed and my father was arrested. But at this time I was to scared to
bring any charges against him and he became a free man. However, when I was in my thirties, I tried
on two occasions to contact the police in the hope that court proceedings would
be brought against him this time. The police were brilliant and extremely
helpful and acted on my phone calls but, I was far too scared again to
press any charges. One evening back in
January 2013 a friend gave me a copy of a woman's magazine which contained an
article matching exactly the kind of abuse I had received from my father.
My reaction after reading this prompted me the next day
to make that phone call to the local police station. From then on things moved quite quickly.
After many police interviews with myself and gathering of evidence, my father
was arrested. A court date for the trial
was arranged and we all played a waiting game over the next two years whilst
further evidence was gathered and crucial witnesses were summoned. The court ruled at the end of the case that
my father was guilty and received a sentence of 16 years. I finally felt that Justice had been done and
I could move on with the rest of my life.
This wouldn't have been achieved without the compassion of Jason the detective
and Simon the sergeant in charge of my case, who were in constant
touch throughout the whole process making me feel that this was entirely the
right thing to do. The Message I want to
reach to other victims is don’t be afraid to make that phone call. I have proved that there are people out there
who will help you get the Justice you deserve. I will never forget the fear I felt
throughout my child hood that was the worst feeling for me!! By getting justice the fear has all gone he can’t hurt me anymore………
I owe much to the counsellors for their huge contribution
and support during incredibly difficult times and I will go on needing their
support for the rest of my life. My
Victim Support Liaison Officer who is amazing who constantly keeps me informed with any information throughout my farther’s sentencing! So many
people are involved to make sure victims are supported in every way
possible. Therefore I am now at the
stage where I need to repay them or at least put something back into the pot to
ensure that child abuse is continually financially supported at all times.
Hence I am doing this challenge and desperately need your
support to raise as much money as possible for THE BRISTOL CHILDREN’S CHARITY who will help as many children as they can who have gone through any kind child abuse their selves !!!!!
Please sponsor me as I am being pushed out of an aeroplane after all - LOL
Thanks again for your support,
OMG what am I doing Lots of love Heather a surviving victim
xxx
I would like to raise some money for the Bristol Children's Charity; I am hoping to complete a charity sky dive on Saturday 27th
April 2019. Can I hear you say OMG, but
would just like to explain a little bit of my background of why I am doing
this.
Right ok here goes ..........
I was sexually abused as a child from the age of 8 until I was 10 by my own father. I had for
years referred to this as my big secret which was finally aired when I was
sixteen, when I revealed my secret to my Mum who I felt very lucky to have
believed me. Very quickly things
progressed and my father was arrested. But at this time I was to scared to
bring any charges against him and he became a free man. However, when I was in my thirties, I tried
on two occasions to contact the police in the hope that court proceedings would
be brought against him this time. The police were brilliant and extremely
helpful and acted on my phone calls but, I was far too scared again to
press any charges. One evening back in
January 2013 a friend gave me a copy of a woman's magazine which contained an
article matching exactly the kind of abuse I had received from my father.
My reaction after reading this prompted me the next day
to make that phone call to the local police station. From then on things moved quite quickly.
After many police interviews with myself and gathering of evidence, my father
was arrested. A court date for the trial
was arranged and we all played a waiting game over the next two years whilst
further evidence was gathered and crucial witnesses were summoned. The court ruled at the end of the case that
my father was guilty and received a sentence of 16 years. I finally felt that Justice had been done and
I could move on with the rest of my life.
This wouldn't have been achieved without the compassion of Jason the detective
and Simon the sergeant in charge of my case, who were in constant
touch throughout the whole process making me feel that this was entirely the
right thing to do. The Message I want to
reach to other victims is don’t be afraid to make that phone call. I have proved that there are people out there
who will help you get the Justice you deserve. I will never forget the fear I felt
throughout my child hood that was the worst feeling for me!! By getting justice the fear has all gone he can’t hurt me anymore………
I owe much to the counsellors for their huge contribution
and support during incredibly difficult times and I will go on needing their
support for the rest of my life. My
Victim Support Liaison Officer who is amazing who constantly keeps me informed with any information throughout my farther’s sentencing! So many
people are involved to make sure victims are supported in every way
possible. Therefore I am now at the
stage where I need to repay them or at least put something back into the pot to
ensure that child abuse is continually financially supported at all times.
Hence I am doing this challenge and desperately need your
support to raise as much money as possible for THE BRISTOL CHILDREN’S CHARITY who will help as many children as they can who have gone through any kind child abuse their selves !!!!!
Please sponsor me as I am being pushed out of an aeroplane after all - LOL
Thanks again for your support,
OMG what am I doing Lots of love Heather a surviving victim
xxx