Guisborough child sexual abuse victim speaks out about her ordeal
Di Ellis was only 11 when her attacker started preying on her, now she's in a new video to help victims like her.
A Guisborough grandmother who kept her childhood sexual abuse a secret for over 30 years says she won't stay silent any longer.
Di Ellis was only 11-years-old when Stokesley businessman Leonard Wilson started raping her.
He's now serving a 15 year prison sentence, and Di has made the brave decision to speak out about her ordeal.
She kept her abuse a secret for over 30 years, after Wilson's threats to stay quiet prevented her from coming forward.
The pressure from keeping such a devastating experience hidden had an impact on her family and friends, and Di admits she turned to drink.
Now she's featuring in a new video released by Cleveland Police and made by Tees Valley Arts, to help other victims like her get the support they need as part of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week.
'Somewhere To Turn To' hears from organisations around Teesside who help victims of sexual abuse deal with their ordeals.
Di said: "I thought I was dirty and unclean.
"I thought about my attacker each time I gave birth, because I thought it was wonderful to be able to create a life, when I didn't think I would be able to because I was too dirty.
"Now I'm feeling positive and I just want to help anybody who is suffering.
"It's really hard and difficult to start that ball rolling and it opens up that can of worms.
"But when you've straightened those worms out within yourself, it gives you a strong pillar for your life."
Police and Crime Commissioner, Barry Coppinger, said: “I have hope that producing a film like this, whereby other victims of sexual abuse are encouraged to report these crimes and are being made aware of the services that are available to them, will increase confidence in victims to seek the help and support that they need to deal with what has happened to them and help them to move forward with their lives after these devastating crimes.”