"A powerful, devastating voice bravely tells of the Huddersfield Child Sexual Exploitation gangs. A chilling yet important read."
Almost as soon as I started reading Christina O’Connor’s story of experiences at the hand of a child sexual exploitation gang in Huddersfield, my own hometown, I couldn’t help but do the maths. Christina is a mere three years older than me to the month, and at only 11 years old bullying at the start of high school led to truancy and put her within the grasp of a sinister world of cigarettes, alcohol, drugs and sexual exploitation - conducted in broad daylight, with little to nothing done by those who could. Obviously the timings are not the important part of this story, but this hit very close to home and made what came next all the more devastating.
Groomed by a Gang is a chilling and intense read, as you would expect. Christina shares with no holds barred, and with the expertise of Ann Cusack you’re led into a world of relentless struggle, a young girl lost and lashing out with no help on the way. The chapters come to close, preparing you that there is more to come. The writing style is compelling, overwhelming and devastating. You read hoping for the bit at the end where Christina can be free. But Operation Tendersea is still ongoing, convicted abusers are already back on the same streets and independent reports have been published with little to no actual investigation, benefit to the victims or change proposed. The pages of convictions listed from the trials Christina called as a witness for alone was jaw dropping. Most recent figures say more than 500 years in prison have been handed out as part of the sentencing for Operation Tendersea.
Christina says “I would like to tell every child that your most powerful weapon is your voice, and you must use it always.” and Groomed by a Gang is a powerful amplification of her voice. It's an important story that very much needs to be told.
| Primary Genre | Biographies & Autobiographies |
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