Rotherham CSE campaigner left feeling 'angry' over the recent Ellie Williams case
We've been speaking to Sammy Woodhouse after Williams was jailed for 8 & a half years last week
A South Yorkshire woman-who campaigns for victims of child sexual exploitation-tells us she's been left feeling 'angry' about the recent Ellie Williams case.
22-year-old Williams was jailed for over 8 years last week for falsely accusing several men over a 3-year period of raping & trafficking her in Cumbria.
Activist Sammy Woodhouse-who was groomed herself as a teenager in Rotherham-thinks it's hindered a lot of the progress that's been made over the years:
"Ellie has come along and told a lot of lies.
"She has taken us back many, many years.
"So, activists like myself are going to have to try and repair all of this now.
"I've spoken to many victims of CSE since this has all played out, and they feel really, really angry.
"I feel angry that she's lied as well; this could prevent people from coming forward and reporting abuse in future.
"Anyone that has been subjected to abuse and is wondering whether to come forward or not should still come forward in my opinion.
"Whether that's reporting the abuse to the police or other support services; don't let someone like Ellie Williams jeopardise any justice that you might have in your own life.
"Many people are asking me why Ellie would make up such lies.
"The truth is, I don't know. The only person that knows the answer to that is Ellie, and those lies have ruined other people's lives."