In this weeks edition there is what is called -a shock news report:
GIRLS FORCED TO BE PROSTITUTES AGED 10
The article mentions boyfriends showering girls with gifts,jewellery,mobile phones
Girls being lured away from friends and family
Encouraged to drink and take drugs
Persuaded to have sex with older friends or 'uncles' to pay for the gifts
Parents begging for help from the police and social services
Perhaps to many people it may seem far fetched,in fact a year ago I would have thought the same.Now sadly for many people this is the reality of Britain today,it doesn't just happen in inner cities it can happen anywhere and it can happen to anyone.
I have sat today having coffee with a drugs advisor,getting information on the effects of drugs and what parents can do to help their children.
These children have had their childhoods stolen by men who promise the earth,who tell the girls its real love and they are the only people who really understand them.
The truth is that these men are very dangerous and they get a thrill out of each victim they win over,unlike the parents,they aren't interested in the long term welfare of the girls,more so the short term welfare of their wallets.
Lets hope that the Home office minister quoted in the article takes the tough action on the perpetrators that he has promised.
Too many lives have already been ruined,this crime has to stop,these girls have to be protected.
Friday, 18 January 2008
Thursday, 17 January 2008
The suffolk murders
The murder trial has started this week of 5 Suffolk prostitutes.The interest in the case at the time didn't seem appropriate, yes it was covered for a few weeks and then all forgotten until this week.
The parents of those girls must have been devastated,not just by their deaths which were traumatic enough,but also by the way that the public didn't seem that bothered because of their roles in society.
The question is did these girls choose prostitution as their careers?.....somehow I doubt it.
They all had a drug problem,more than likely introduced by their pimps.
These girls were all exploited,let down by society and even more so let down by the authorities who quite frankly don't care.
Social workers are only interested if they can get a happy outcome and place a tick in their case complete box.
How many more young girls will have their lives ruined by pimps?
How long will it take for the authorities to stand up and take notice?
The parents of those girls must have been devastated,not just by their deaths which were traumatic enough,but also by the way that the public didn't seem that bothered because of their roles in society.
The question is did these girls choose prostitution as their careers?.....somehow I doubt it.
They all had a drug problem,more than likely introduced by their pimps.
These girls were all exploited,let down by society and even more so let down by the authorities who quite frankly don't care.
Social workers are only interested if they can get a happy outcome and place a tick in their case complete box.
How many more young girls will have their lives ruined by pimps?
How long will it take for the authorities to stand up and take notice?
Monday, 14 January 2008
6th form applications
This week is very important for my daughter's friends, it's their last chance to apply for places in the 6th form at the school where they have matured from pre-teens into outstanding young ladies and gentlemen.
The school is very special, one of the few Grammar schools left and has outstanding results.More than that though is the very special bond that the pupils have both with teachers and fellow pupils.
The year 11 pupils have now reached the stage when most of them will go on to the 6th form , and in a few years time many will then follow on to University.
My daughter, like her friends and classmates had such an amazing future ahead of her, there was never any pressure, just the knowledge that with such a good start to life they could achieve whatever dreams and aspirations they had.
So what does the future hold for her now?
Who knows.
A far cry from the safe and sheltered environment she was used to.
It's never too late to turn back the clock
The school is very special, one of the few Grammar schools left and has outstanding results.More than that though is the very special bond that the pupils have both with teachers and fellow pupils.
The year 11 pupils have now reached the stage when most of them will go on to the 6th form , and in a few years time many will then follow on to University.
My daughter, like her friends and classmates had such an amazing future ahead of her, there was never any pressure, just the knowledge that with such a good start to life they could achieve whatever dreams and aspirations they had.
So what does the future hold for her now?
Who knows.
A far cry from the safe and sheltered environment she was used to.
It's never too late to turn back the clock
Sunday, 13 January 2008
Saturday, 12 January 2008
January weekends
So much happens in a year,many things change,time never stands still,perhaps that's a good thing sometimes,we all wish at some point in our lives that we could turn back time.
When I look back to this time last year our nightmare was just beginning,I remember attending parents evening,telling some of the teachers that I was concerned about my daughter's relationship with a man.They reassured me that her schoolwork wasn't affected so not to worry,she was doing so well,on target to have such a promissing future,her whole life ahead of her.
Of course events were to move on very quickly from then,becoming out of control so soon it took everyone by surprise.
We used to walk around car boot sales,looking for bargains,this time last year we went to one such sale,our daughter had been shopping the day before and had returned very happy with a bag full of gifts from a boy she had told us she knew from school.While we were out that day she received a disturbing phone call,from the man ,he was threatening to kill himself because he said that she didn't love him.
In hindsight it would have been better if he had gone through with it,of course we now know that this was just one of his many silly games.
This saga of shopping and then suicide threats was to happen a further 3 weekends running,our diary from last year shows our total dispair.We consulted parentline,the police,the samaritans and social services but no-one seemed to understand sexual grooming.
The only good thing was that she was still attending school,bringing some sort of normailty to everyone's lives,especially hers.
So what about this year,a very different situation.
There are now 3 of us living at home,we don't do car boot sales anymore,in fact every aspect of our lives has changed.
I guess the only thing that remains the same is our son,he has regained his wicked sense of humour that was missing for so long last year.
He has changed so much,grown up into a fantastic young man,I'm so immensly proud of him.
We are now very aware of the dark side of life in this country,something that we were totally unaware of this time last year.
I have spent some time on the phone today,helping out another family,being a shoulder to cry on,a listening ear,someone to sound off at.
You see our case is far from unique,this sort of thing is happening on a daily basis to families all over the country.It doesn't matter what background you come from,where abouts in the country you live,or how you have brought your children up.These men are total scum,they get a kick out of ruining other people's lives,for their own personal gain.
When I look back to this time last year our nightmare was just beginning,I remember attending parents evening,telling some of the teachers that I was concerned about my daughter's relationship with a man.They reassured me that her schoolwork wasn't affected so not to worry,she was doing so well,on target to have such a promissing future,her whole life ahead of her.
Of course events were to move on very quickly from then,becoming out of control so soon it took everyone by surprise.
We used to walk around car boot sales,looking for bargains,this time last year we went to one such sale,our daughter had been shopping the day before and had returned very happy with a bag full of gifts from a boy she had told us she knew from school.While we were out that day she received a disturbing phone call,from the man ,he was threatening to kill himself because he said that she didn't love him.
In hindsight it would have been better if he had gone through with it,of course we now know that this was just one of his many silly games.
This saga of shopping and then suicide threats was to happen a further 3 weekends running,our diary from last year shows our total dispair.We consulted parentline,the police,the samaritans and social services but no-one seemed to understand sexual grooming.
The only good thing was that she was still attending school,bringing some sort of normailty to everyone's lives,especially hers.
So what about this year,a very different situation.
There are now 3 of us living at home,we don't do car boot sales anymore,in fact every aspect of our lives has changed.
I guess the only thing that remains the same is our son,he has regained his wicked sense of humour that was missing for so long last year.
He has changed so much,grown up into a fantastic young man,I'm so immensly proud of him.
We are now very aware of the dark side of life in this country,something that we were totally unaware of this time last year.
I have spent some time on the phone today,helping out another family,being a shoulder to cry on,a listening ear,someone to sound off at.
You see our case is far from unique,this sort of thing is happening on a daily basis to families all over the country.It doesn't matter what background you come from,where abouts in the country you live,or how you have brought your children up.These men are total scum,they get a kick out of ruining other people's lives,for their own personal gain.
Tuesday, 8 January 2008
The garden
The garden looks bare and forelorn,not just the time of year,it's lost it's sparkle.
I have so many memories of you growing up,since we moved here when you were 3 yrs old.
You used to play on the swing and slide,push your dolls up the garden path in the pram,bounce forever on the trampoline.How many paddling pools did you and your brother wear out? You used to make a den around them so that the old man next door couldn't see you in your swimming costume.
But of course there were some special friends out there too,
Spotty,Mrs Hoppy,Furyboo,Splodge,Sixpence,Flopsy,Flip-flop,Silky,Smokie and not forgetting George the Tortoise.
The rabbits were so special to you,you loved them with all your heart,seeing to their every need.You even used to walk them around the garden with collar and leads,just like little puppies.
Flip-flop terrified everyone except you,she used to attack anyone who went in the garden,but with you she would be as calm as anything.
There are a few things that upset me about the garden now,the Oak trees neglected in their pots,the Korean fir,of all the years to finally produce purple fir cones it has to be when you have gone.
But most of all the trampoline,it now sits silently,no more squeaking springs,no more giggly teenage girls,no more chat about boys,make-up,Harry Potter and such like.
The garden grew with you and matured, just as you matured into a beautiful young woman,
but the garden wasn't ready to say goodbye,like your family and friends it misses you and needs you back.
I have so many memories of you growing up,since we moved here when you were 3 yrs old.
You used to play on the swing and slide,push your dolls up the garden path in the pram,bounce forever on the trampoline.How many paddling pools did you and your brother wear out? You used to make a den around them so that the old man next door couldn't see you in your swimming costume.
But of course there were some special friends out there too,
Spotty,Mrs Hoppy,Furyboo,Splodge,Sixpence,Flopsy,Flip-flop,Silky,Smokie and not forgetting George the Tortoise.
The rabbits were so special to you,you loved them with all your heart,seeing to their every need.You even used to walk them around the garden with collar and leads,just like little puppies.
Flip-flop terrified everyone except you,she used to attack anyone who went in the garden,but with you she would be as calm as anything.
There are a few things that upset me about the garden now,the Oak trees neglected in their pots,the Korean fir,of all the years to finally produce purple fir cones it has to be when you have gone.
But most of all the trampoline,it now sits silently,no more squeaking springs,no more giggly teenage girls,no more chat about boys,make-up,Harry Potter and such like.
The garden grew with you and matured, just as you matured into a beautiful young woman,
but the garden wasn't ready to say goodbye,like your family and friends it misses you and needs you back.
Monday, 7 January 2008
From little bro with love
I'm writing this *****,
Without hope or agenda,
Knowing fully well,
It's no relationship mender,
Just to remind you,
There are people who care,
They care about you,
And your welfare.
That sounds like a line,
From a social worker's mouth,
Those up here,
And those in the south.
They put us in meetings,
With conclusions to make,
Most used word : Optimistic,
But our smiles are fake.
Of course you still don't believe,
That we are at all bothered,
About where you are now,
And by who you're being slobbered.
Those who pay attention,
Will already know,
The answer to the latter,
Has become our foe.
He knows what you want,
Or so you think,
Little do you know,
His brain is on the blink.
You know damn well,
That the accusations made,
Are ludicrous lies,
And the blame is ricocheted.
The sweet young girl,
That we know and love,
Would never do this,
She would give him a shove.
You had a great education,
Better than most,
And handfuls of friends,
But you weren't one to boast.
Without hope or agenda,
Knowing fully well,
It's no relationship mender,
Just to remind you,
There are people who care,
They care about you,
And your welfare.
That sounds like a line,
From a social worker's mouth,
Those up here,
And those in the south.
They put us in meetings,
With conclusions to make,
Most used word : Optimistic,
But our smiles are fake.
Of course you still don't believe,
That we are at all bothered,
About where you are now,
And by who you're being slobbered.
Those who pay attention,
Will already know,
The answer to the latter,
Has become our foe.
He knows what you want,
Or so you think,
Little do you know,
His brain is on the blink.
You know damn well,
That the accusations made,
Are ludicrous lies,
And the blame is ricocheted.
The sweet young girl,
That we know and love,
Would never do this,
She would give him a shove.
You had a great education,
Better than most,
And handfuls of friends,
But you weren't one to boast.
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