Rotherham abuse survivor's safety fears after social media troll attacks

A ROTHERHAM child sex abuse survivor said she was left fearing for her safety and that of her young daughter after being targeted by a social media troll.

The woman, who goes by the pseudonym Elizabeth, called the police last December to tell them the Facebook and Twitter user had published her name and photo on the social networks.

She said she was frustrated with the progress of the police investigation.

The Advertiser has previously reported on Elizabeth’s campaign to see council officials and other public figures held accountable for Rotherham’s child sexual exploitation scandal.

The 31-year-old CSE survivor launched a petition last year calling for a change in the law which currently means public officials cannot be held responsible for their conduct as local authority employees if it emerges more than three months after they have left their post.

Elizabeth said her real name, photo and past address had all been posted or offered online.

She said she had been forced to pester the police for updates and they had only indicated the investigation was moving on after being contacted by a reporter from The Times, which published a story earlier this week.

“I have had to chase them up myself,” said Elizabeth.

“I am worried for myself and for my daughter, who is nine. I’m concerned how my address has got out there and is circulating and that I don’t know what might be next.”

Elizabeth said the Twitter account involved had been suspended but Facebook had told her the posts did not violate its community standards.

“Everyone I’ve spoken to about this is mortified for me and can’t believe survivors are still not being protected,” she added.

“I don’t know if this is happening to anyone else but I would like to think not because it’s horrible. 

“I want it resolving and I want prosecutions for the offences that have been committed.

“The police have a duty to protect the public and they are not doing it.”

A police spokeswoman confirmed earlier this week that police in Rotherham received a report of malicious communications relating to social media last December and an investigation launched.