Southampton's Siobhan Pyburn named as Lesley Pearse Woman of Courage 2010 (From Daily Echo)

Well done Siobhan, just like one of Lesley Pearce's characters you have turned a terrible situation into a positive one. Make sure you don't spend the money wisely though - have a blow out - you deserve it!!!!!

www.thesecondchance.
co.uk
for anyone that wants to read her story.
A very brave young lady indeed, well done Siobhan for speaking out.

i was sexually abused from age 10 to age 16, the threats the abuser made, scared me into submission, the sad part of it all is that social services were called in by my parents because i was becoming withdrawn and uncontrolable. they agreed to put me in a childrens home for a short sharp shock, where i was sexually abused again in the few months i was there. this then sealed my fate and silence so the abuser could abuse me at will, and i could do nothing about it.

only when i had my 1st child, (aged 32) did i report the abuse to the police, it was then that i also found out that he abused my little brother, 2 of his fiends, and there were at least 6 other children i knew about. One of the boys hung himself the day after the sentencing.

3 and a half years is all he got. for his 3rd conviction over 30 years of abusing some 20+ prepubecent children. until we start jailing them for life and protecting our children, the abuse will never end.

the Figures:
i kept silent for 22 years, so did the other 10, it was only when one spoke out, and the others were questioned, did they also speak out.

if 10 childrent kept silent for 22 years, how many more are still silent? we need to protect them and make sure our children have faith in us to protect them, not allow the abuser to hound them again after a year in prison.

Hi, I'm Siobhan! I felt the need to register and comment if only to say three things:

1. The quote in the article is NOT actually the quote that I gave the Echo at ALL. Impetus? Admitting the money will come in useful? What the heck is that? THANKS ECHO, for making up a quote for me.

2. I look a bit sad in the photo. I had actually just had an exhausting day that day, but I was happy. Also I was squinting; my eye isn't that retarded in real life.

3. Thankyou so much Samantha, for sharing your story. I totally agree: there needs to be some serious penal reform in the law with regards to how long convicted child abusers get put away for - I, for one, call for life sentencing. Also I would like to see changes in what qualifies as 'evidence' in child protection cases, as it often comes down to one side's word against another's, which is why so many abusers get off Scott-free.

Trust me, I am working on it.