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The Letter

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About this listen

Co-written by the writer of Sunday Times bestsellers The Asylum, The Convent, Silent Sisters and Abandoned

Harrowing emotional story of horrific sexual abuse at the hands of a father

Sarah Sidebottom was repeatedly raped by both her father and her brother as a child has secured justice thanks to a forgotten letter.

Sarah Sidebottom, 54, was raped and sexually abused by her father, Arthur William Bowditch, and her brother, Arthur Stephen Bowditch. They were jailed in 2022 for a total of 32 years.

The first attack, when she was just three and a half years old, left Sarah needing surgery to repair internal damage. A decades-old letter from her doctor proved crucial in securing a conviction for the abuse, which began almost 50 years go.

©2024 Ann Cusack and Sarah Sidebottom (P)2024 W. F. Howes Ltd Abuse Child Abuse Dysfunctional Families Parenting & Families Relationships
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very sad book , very well told , once started could not stop listening. I just hope she's happy now.

tragic

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Very hard listen but you keep going in hope she makes It through life and gets the justice deserved. Very Brave lady and proof you can be treated so badly and still be a good person.

True story of survival

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Powerful & truly heartbreaking true story. Sarah's childhood was one of pure evil by the people that should have been her protectors. I'm so glad your had your Granparents, Husband Daughters & friends there to watch over you. As you deserve so much happiness & love as your childhood was stolen & trampled on in the most abhorrent way. Well done you

Harrowing story but so aspiring beautiful Warrior Sarah

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very triggering for me but also very therapeutic. well written and well read. thank you for sharing.

heartbreaking

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This broke me because I’m going through it as a mum, unfortunately my daughter passed away 8 months ago age 39 without seeing justice, the whole system needs an overhaul because the victims are put last, they protect the abuser instead, we reported ours in 2020 and are still waiting, so many mistakes and incompetence by the police, one victim was given a public order offence because she called him what he is when she seen him in a shop. I pray you find your peace, I wish I could give you a hug .

Triggering

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