Sheffield grooming gang survivor issues powerful message to victims and calls for more education on abuse signs

Leona Whitworth was just 13-years-old when she met, and began to be groomed in 2008 by Amanda Spencer, who was subsequently sentenced to a total of 15 years’ custody for her crimes following trials at Sheffield Crown Court in 2014 and 2017.

Within just two months, Spencer – and other members of the Sheffield grooming gang she was part of – had begun to be paid for arranging for Leona to be sexually abused.

Leona, who waived her right to anonymity earlier this month, has described how the gang made her so fearful for both her safety and that of those closest to her that she felt the only way she could escape the abuse for good was to leave Sheffield – and her family – behind aged just 14, and move in with her dad more than 150 miles away in May 2009.

The courageous mother-of-five believes child sexual exploitation (CSE) is just as prevalent now, as it was when she was abused. This is spite of numerous investigations, reports and enquiries focusing on the issue – including the explosive Jay report in 2014, which laid bare the horrific true extent of child abuse in Rotherham.

Leona has issued this direct, and important, message to CSE victims who fear they may not be able to escape the abuse they are being subjected to: “First of all, you are not alone. You are not alone, I can promise you that. You are not alone, you have got the strength to make it through this. It has been difficult, but you can. And the first step you need is to just find that little piece of strength inside you to speak up, to somebody, to anybody.

"Even if it’s not to an authority, even if it’s just to your friend, speak to that neighbour, speak to somebody because then you’ve got the chance of freedom, freedom’s in your grasp. And you can do it. It’s hard, but you can do it. And you’ll not be alone in doing it, ever. If anyone wants to reach out to me for that help, then I’m there. I won’t let anyone go through that by themselves.”

Leona is also campaigning for the signs of CSE to be taught in all schools, beginning from Year 6, and for the same information to be passed on to parents.

She said: “It should be something that’s taught to them [school children] at an appropriate level, because that could be a safeguarding technique, that could be a prevention technique. Kids having that knowledge. Some kids go home and talk to their parents about what they do at school, they can pass that knowledge on to the parents.

"There are all sorts of forums on the parent pages now, stick that on, send that out in the newsletter, anything. Anything, it’s not going to cost you a lot of money. There are people like me who would be willing to come and speak to your children. I don’t want paying for it, I just want to make sure things are different.”

* Charity, The Maggie Oliver Foundation aims to create a society where survivors and those at risk of childhood sexual abuse and exploitation are empowered to live fulfilled and successful lives, and where every survivor is treated with dignity, respect and as an equal and valued member of society.

To find out more, or to make a referral, please click here for those wanting to make a self-referral, or here for people hoping to make a referral for someone else.