EXCLUSIVE: 'I was abused 30 years ago but it's happening now - why are people too afraid to listen?'

We've been speaking exclusively to David Lean, who was abused by Barry Bennell more than 30 years ago.

He came forward and disclosed his abuse in 2015 - but since then he's had to fight until he was finally given justice in February this year.

Now, he helps run training session to give people an insight into the effects sexual abuse had on him, and how they can spot the signs.

But he says, too often, the only people who come to the sessions are those who need to receive safeguarding training as part of their jobs.

He wants every parent, carer and volunteer in the country to receive awareness training to help them notice signs of abuse and protect vulnerable young people.

"I was abused over two evenings at the age of 12 and it's had a significant bearing in the way my life has been.

"People commit suicide off the back of being abused - you can't get more extreme than that.

"People think it will never happen to them, it will never happen in their football club or their youth service. It does. People need to be prepared to step out of their comfort zone a little bit.

"It isn't a comfortable conversation to have. I would say to any football club out there, that it isn't about pointing fingers, you could be the person who ultimately reports and changes a life and makes a child's life better for the future.

"There's as many naive people now as there were in 1980 when I was abuse. It is happening in homes and it's happening all over. It's still happening today and, in fact, it's getting bigger."

David's next event is in the Hallmark Hotel in Leyland on 14th November

For more information, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/child-sexual-exploitation-how-does-it-happen-presentation-guest-speaker-tickets-51221365483