Today the horrifying truth about Sharon Byfield’s blighted childhood is told in full in Chat magazine.
Sharon was abused from the age of three by her own father, William Holder, who even paid her 50p to keep his sickening acts a secret.
It went on for ten long years but the mental and emotional scars have haunted Sharon for a lifetime.
For decades, she kept her vile Dad’s secret but finally, after years of illness and sorrow, she realised she could no longer hide the truth.
She reported him to the police over 40 years after the abuse began, and last year saw her Dad, now 74, jailed for 12 years.
It was the end of a long road to justice for Sharon, now 49, who wanted to share her heart-breaking story in a bid to help other victims of abuse come forward.
When Sharon first approached First Features Ltd, we were appalled by what she suffered as a little girl but felt that her bravery in facing her abuser so many years after the attacks ended simply had to be told.
We helped Sharon sell her story to Chat magazine and tell it in exactly the way she wanted.
Today Sharon says: “It was really important for me to tell the world what my Dad had done to me and I hope that if one other person reads it and is inspired to report a paedophile then it will all be worth it. For a long time I was victim but not anymore. What that sick monster did to me held me hostage all my life. Now, I’m finally free.”
Do you have a harrowing story to share? We are friendly and sensitive writers who are used to handling stories which deal with difficult issues and will guide you through the process to ensure you find it a positive and transparent experience. Contact us for confidential advice on 020 7703 8000 or email us at info@firstfeatures.co.uk .
