Violated: A shocking and harrowing survival story from the notorious Rotherham abuse scandal

By: Sarah Wilson

Narrated by: Chloe Massey

Length: 7 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

The shocking first true account from one of the young girls who lived through and survived the Rotherham sex abuse scandal.

In the summer of 2014, the Rotherham sex abuse scandal sent shockwaves through the nation. A report revealed that since the 1990s, up to 1,400 young girls in the town had been regularly abused by sex gangs, predominantly comprised of Pakistani men. As the media descended on the small Yorkshire town, Sarah Wilson watched with horror and relief as her voice was finally heard after years of abuse.

Sarah was just 11 years old when she was befriended by a group of older men. Bullied at school, naive and vulnerable, the gifts and attention they lavished on her were what she craved; she just wanted to belong. But soon she was hooked on alcohol and drugs, and then they owned her.

She was just 12 years old when she was bundled into a car by a man in his 30s and forced to have sex with him. Soon the gang were driving her to places where she was raped by scores of men. Falling through the system, from social services to school, no one was able to help her. She escaped when she became too old for the men at nearly 16.

Finally a victim of the Rotherham scandal tells her story in the hope that other young girls will not fall prey to the same evil that she endured.

©2015 Sarah Wilson (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Horror Story and shocking to think this happened in modern day Britain.

This was not a story I had heard about in Australia although I had heard the case of the first white honour killing so doubly shocking that such horror was experienced by this one family.

The story was personal, sensitive and without prejudice that in itself highlights the remarkable nature and strength of this survivor and her mum and sister.

The narrator did a fantastic job of telling this true event through the eyes of the author who had to experience this awful abuse at such a young age.

7 people found this helpful

This store was absolutely amazing and horrible.

It's incredibly hard to get through and finish. I can only image what it was like to live it, but it is a powerful story that should not be left on a shelf just because it's hard to get through.

2 people found this helpful

Good story

Hard to understand a lot of the narrator. Her accent is very thick! The story itself is a sad tale.

2 people found this helpful

Don't hide from this!

This is a reality happening in our world in many countries. Sadly people tend to pretend it doesnt.

1 person found this helpful

Blood, sweat and tears!

First and foremost, Thank you so much for giving your whole being into this true written book. I could only imagine you putting your blood, sweat and tears into this heart wrenching, reality. Many children face on a daily basis and unfortunately many are too scared to speak up, and or are killed, once entered into sex trafficking. This book is an eye opener on the past, present and unfortunately future of this societee that we face, that we encounter. You are a true voice for those that can't speak.

The narrator was lovely, beautifully spoken. I could feel for raw emotions through her tone and expressions. I couldn't put the book down I read it from beginning to end in the 1st sitting.

Pass

Meh obviously the story and all its’ content are important tales to be told but the narrator’s voice was too annoying. I didn’t even finish it because, try as I could, I couldn’t get on board.

informative

it was ok. narrator not great. rather boring voice.not really very emotional reading of the story.

story is heartbreaking

for me, I like to be enthralled in feeling what the character feels. I didnt have that here, rather just sat back and filled in the blanks. I find that it is complicated to review poorly on a book who was written by someone who has suffered so much loss. but I'm so proud of who she became in the end.

unimaginable

incredible story, well written and read. we go through our lives oblivious to the secrets around us.

Eh. Sad tale. Repetitive.

Of course it's a nasty tragic tale. But very repetitive at times. It's an ok read but the main character became repetitive and annoying.

Powerful and shocking

An extraordinary and compelling book, but tough and painful to listen to.
The details of what the author endured during her youth in Rotherham is presented with heart breaking honesty and candour. It's quite amazing she has had the strength to write this book, but vital that she did.

3 people found this helpful

absolutely fantastic very harrowing

so shocking to think that this happened
fantastic read very sad in lots of places 10 out of 10 for the narrator and writer

2 people found this helpful

Shocking

As a resident of Rotherham myself I was shocked when the scale of the abuse was released in the press. I lived in the town centre for a while and you did used to see odd goings on. Some of the girls my age at the time seemed more interested in the older guys. They were brainwashed into thinking this was normal and enjoyable by their abusers. Even me and my friends as young lads were brainwashed into thinking that older gents from Pakistani or white race were preferred by the girls and that this was just normal wants and needs......Sarah tells the story of the most horrific experiences in a way that really tugs at your emotions. She is so brave and a credit to herself and her family. Showing the strength and fight she has after all that and willing to live a wholesome life turning negatives into positives is admirable

1 person found this helpful

incredibly written and told

I was hooked from the word go. As an adult man I was keen to understand the psychology and mode of grooming. Thank you Sarah for telling me your remarkable story and I am so pleased that you were able to recover. I never appreciated the abbhorent scale of these crimes. This story felt honest and personal. Your mother is a HERO!

1 person found this helpful

Amazing, Honest and Factual

Amazing story of incredible courage within a society that has failed her.
The story was well written compelling from start to finish. The biggest shocks accured not when hearing the facts but when reality set in a split second after that this "actually happened to someone".

1 person found this helpful

horrendous story

although it was pretty hard to read, I was gripped from the start. I cried many years and wish her happiness from here on in.

Really good book

Fascinating to hear the trauma of such a young girl. Unbelievable how men could do such horrendous things to such young girls.

Brilliant

This is one of the most harrowing stories that I have ever read, highly recommend

Real account told from the heart

An insight into a world that few of us could imagine. Sarah leads you through her journey, the circumstances that lead to her involvement and how she eventually came out as a survivor. The narration is spot on too.

truly shocking..

couldn't put this book down... an amazing story of a true suvivor. thanks for letting me into your world.. I wish you and your family every happiness for the future 🔮 xx