THE turmoil suffered by a child who has been exposed to sexual exploitation or abuse can be far-reaching and life-changing – but there is help for those who need it.

Based at the Peace Centre off Cromwell Drive, a group of trained professionals at the NSPCC provide a lifeline to victims and their families as they learn to cope with the traumatic memories triggered by abuse.

The parents of a young schoolgirl, who have not been identified to protect her identity, have shared their experiences with the service to spread the word about the support that is available to victims.

This family had their world turned upside down after they discovered their daughter had been abused by a pupil at her school – she was only five years old.

He mum said: “She had always had problems at school. From the age of three she never ever wanted to go. 

“She would scream and kick and cling to us when we tried to get her to go in. 

“She wouldn’t play either. We just thought she was timid. 

“She would rub away her entire gum when she was nervous – she’d sit there and do it whenever there were other children around.”

Warrington Guardian: The Peace Centre - Great Sankey

PICTURED: The Peace Centre

But when she reached the age of five, her parents discovered the sickening reality.

She added: “One of the other mums had come over and said that a boy in her class had been touching other children.

“My daughter was there at the time and her face went white. 
“When we got in the car she said that he had been touching her and threatening her for some time.

“We didn’t really know what to do. It was an awful time and we felt completely lost. 

“We didn’t understand and we were all really confused and angry. 
“It was difficult to know how to feel about the fact that another child so young had done this to her. 

“It was really hard to accept and come to terms with that.

“It has been difficult trying to move towards a point where we didn’t feel angry with him anymore because we’re so aware that he’s a young child too.” 

After contacting the NSPCC helpline, the parents were told about the service in Warrington.

Their daughter had around 25 sessions – she was also offered support from a worker who the family met with eight times.

This proved to be the catalyst for the change that they were all hoping for as their daughter started to grow in confidence and her parents were able to understand the best ways to deal with her behaviour. 

“We would have been lost without the service and there would have been a very different outcome – we hate to think what would have happened,” she added.

“At the start we never thought she would be where she is now. She’s a different child altogether.

“Our advice to other people in similar situations is to never feel embarrassed and don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

The family were supported as part of the NSPCC’s Letting the Future In Service. 

The programme provides children and young people who have been sexually abused with the therapy they need to help them recover.

This can include messy play, writing, painting and storytelling.

There are a number of other services provided by the charity to help children who are struggling to cope.

DURING 2017, 158 people received support from the sexual abuse service in Warrington, helping them to overcome the psychological and emotional side effects of becoming a victim.

Helen Lewandowska, who works as a team leader at the NSPCC centre, knows only too well the importance of the service.

She said: “We know that children and young people who have been abused can feel confused and upset about what’s happened to them but having the chance to explore their thoughts and feelings can be really useful.”

As well as supporting victims, there is also a programme to help children aged five to 17 who have displayed harmful sexual behaviour.

Turn the Page aims to support young people so they can manage this behaviour and reduce the risk of this happening again. 
Here and Now is another service that is used by young people who may not have disclosed abuse but are showing worrying signs that something is wrong.

“We want to get the message out there that about the services that are available,” added Mrs Lewandowska.
“This experience doesn’t need to define them.”

To find out more visit nspcc.org.uk or call 873000.