Parents share their story after child's abuser convicted
Thames Valley Police are encouraging children, or their parents or carers, to come forward
Parents have shared their experience, after their daughter was sexually abused in the Thames Valley.
A father and mother, whose daughter was sexually assaulted, have spoken out in the hope it will help others who may have to report such a crime to the police.
On 15 February, Simon Honour, aged 55 and from the Thames Valley, pleaded guilty to 11 counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching.
He was sentenced to seven years in prison and placed under a sexual harm prevention order.
He was also put on the sex offenders’ register for life.
The offences he was charged with happened in the last five years, against a girl aged under 13.
David and Katie, whose names have been changed to protect their daughter’s identity, wanted to share their family’s experiences of the investigation:
The police force has said that often the investigation of such crimes can be extremely challenging for victims and their families, adding they know how difficult it can be for victims to come forward and report.
Detective Constable Rosie Everitt, who is a Child Abuse Investigator, explains some of the processes that can happen when a case is investigated:
Thames Valley Police has said it is "committed to investigating child sexual abuse", and is encouraging children, or their parents or carers to report so they can help support victims, safeguard them and carry out an investigation.
Time should be no barrier to reporting and the force said it will always look to investigate.
Anybody who is a victim of child abuse, or worried for the safety or wellbeing of a child, is being encouraged to report it.
If you or the person you are reporting about is in immediate danger call 999.
If it is not an emergency you can report to 101 or online.
There is more information about how to report child abuse, and how to access support from other organisations, on the Thames Valley Police website**.**