Broadcaster Charlie Webster has called on the Government to strengthen support for young victims so they “never know the pain and torment” suffered by her and her best friend.
The former Sky Sports presenter, 41, and rape survivor Katie Shone were abused by their running coach Paul North.
Katie, who helped North get convicted of multiple counts of sexual assault and one count of rape in 2002, died by suicide last year.
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Charlie said: “I will always live with the pain inflicted upon us and many other young girls, by our running coach, and the many other young girls he abused.
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“I remember the bravery and strength of Katie as she gave testimony against him.
“I can still feel the imbalance of power as this courageous child endured the system to try and gain some sort of justice as well as trying to prevent the abuse of other children, so they would never know the pain and torment we suffered.”
Charlie was abused by her coach aged 15 after he had lured her into private sessions under the pretence of helping her improve her bladder control.
She had been living with a violent and controlling stepfather who she was so afraid of that she would sometimes wet herself in her bedroom rather than go to the toilet, because he would explode with rage if she made a noise.
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This left her with bladder control issues.
Charlie, who just published a book called Why It’s Ok to Talk About Trauma, ended up in a coma on life support after nearly dying from malaria she caught during a 3,000-mile cycle ride from London to Rio during the 2016 Olympics.
But inspiring campaigner Charlie has written to the Lord Chancellor following the return of the Victims and Prisoners Bill for Committee stage.
The letter, signed by more than 100 survivors and civil society organisations, demands it be improved so that it helps and supports all victims of crime “for generations to come”.
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In the letter to Justice Secretary Alex Chalk, Charlie said: “We need to get the Bill right, because every day that we don’t, and we continue to debate the level of support victims deserve, is another day more victims suffer, not only at the hands of an abuser but at the hands of a system that doesn’t see them.
“When I think of those children who are in the middle of such a complex space as having experienced abuse and then needing to navigate the justice system, I think of the length of time they will have to wait for a court date.
“I think of the lack of specific support designed for them as young survivors, the poor understanding of the wider picture of crime against young people and the long term trauma it causes – as well as the non-existent accountability of those duty bound to ensure support is provided and delivered well.
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“This must stop. It can stop. In Katie’s name I ask you once again that we workcollaboratively, to strengthen the Victims and Prisoners Bill, and put in place appropriatesupport to have a child-centred justice system that works for our children now and for future generations to come.
“Do not just mention my letter, Kate’s name, or my name in public for optics but this time act.”
Ms Shone, 38, took her own life in Australia, where she had moved to in a bid to rebuild her life.
In 2021, Charlie made a powerful BBC documentary about how North groomed her and subjected her to horrific sexual assault.
She revealed how Katie bravely came face-to-face with him in court to testify against him and put him behind bars for 10 years.
Organisations who signed the latest open letter include the NSPCC, Rape Crisis England & Wales, Women’s Aid and The Survivors Trust.
It has also been supported by other survivors of sexual and domestic abuse and Labour MP Jess Phillips.
Sir Peter Wanless, CEO at the NSPCC, said: “We support Charlie’s letter wholeheartedly. It shows the very real impact, and the devastating and long-lasting effect abuse can have on children and their families.
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“The Government have a crucial window to enshrine a commitment to improving things for child sexual abuse victims as they go through the courts.
“We hope that they will consider the impact on young people and move to make lasting change as the Victims and Prisoners Bill progresses”.
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