Child sex abuse victim urges others to come forward

A woman from Wilmslow who was sexually abused by her father when she was a child, has urged other victims to speak out about their own abuse.

Trish Hinde, 37, was abused for 3 years from the age of 6, resulting in her being raped. Her father, Gerard King, was jailed for 15 years in 2022.

She said she didn’t realise that what was happening was wrong but that it didn’t feel right and so she tried to avoid it.

She said: ''There were moments when I would try to sneak past his bedroom in the morning and I'd try and make myself stick to the walls...to get downstairs out of the way.''

Her initial reports were dismissed by the authorities. It wasn’t until she had a family of her own that she found the strength and courage to report the abuse again.

Trish says it was a 'long process' with many moments along the way when she questioned whether she should 'just forget it'.

She said: ''It was really hard. You almost feel you're on trial yourself'' but added ''It was such a relief. Finally- someone listening and saying 'we believe you’. I don't feel angry anymore. I don't feel sad. I don't feel anything towards him.''

Trish Hinde has now written a book called 'Not My Fault' and says, since it was published, mothers and daughters have written to her to tell her they now have the courage to report their abuse to the police.

''I just hope that they realise that if I can do it and finally get somewhere, anyone can. If you're not being listened to, shout louder.''