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ISSUE 06 27 JUNE 2012
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Leanne steps up
The Olympic torch is coming your way on the 2nd July at 11.23 She is at the centre of the child sex grooming allegations in Corby on London Road
This is the woman at the centre of the child sex grooming allegations in Corby. Leanne Mape, a 27 year old mother, claims that she was sexually abused by a number of Asian and white men from the age of eleven until the age of fifteen. She has now made a formal complaint the Independent Police Complaints Commission that Northamptonshire Police failed to investigate her claims properly. She also wants the actions of local Social Services’ officials be looked into because she was on the “at risk” list at the time she was a victim of alleged systematic sexual abuse. “I was child at the time I was abused, but no one appeared to care,” said Leanne. “I was on the at risk list because I was considered vulnerable. I should have been protected.” A medical report when she was 14 states she had been subjected to “systemic sexual abuse by a number of individuals over two to three years.” Leanne has decided to publicise her case because one of her alleged abusers has become prominent in the community. “He is considered to be a pillar of society, but I believe people should know about his past and what he did,” said Leanne. Leanne, who has set up a self-help group for abuse victims in the area called We Stand Together, admits that she was a very vulnerable and “mixedup” 11 year old. “I was taken advantage of by men who saw me as a sex object and passed me round,” she added. “As a child I was let down by a lot of people, including the police and social services.” A women’s group, led by Khatija Barday-Wood, is supporting Leanne’s fight for justice.
SUPPORTING LEANNE: Sister Sabrina (left) there to support Leanne She told the Extra: “The grooming of young girls in Corby, or anywhere else, should not be swept under the carpet. The perpetrators and victims are not necessarily people from one community. “Many victims stay silent because they are terrified to come into the open because of the adversity that it would create for them and their family members.” Khatija, whose organisation, “Eiman,” assists women from all walks of life facing difficulties, urged others in the area who had suffered similar abuse to come forward. “One wonders how many cases have been swept under the carpet,” she added. A spokesman for the IPCC confirmed that a complaint had been made on Leanne’s behalf and that it was being investigated.
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Northamptonshire Police have launched a support scheme for people in Corby who feel vulnerable and would like someone to talk to help boost their confidence or feel safer. The scheme by the force’s Corby Safer Community Team is aimed across the community for people who feel a regular visit from a police community support officer would help them. To help get the project off the ground all local councillors have been contacted asking if they know of anyone in their ward who could benefit. PCSO Helen Murray, who is leading the initiative, says that aim is to build trust and confidence in the community and protect those most vulnerable. “This could cover anyone from elderly residents, persons who are disabled, have learning disabilities, mental health issues or hate crimes,” says PCSO Murray.
CROWDS are expected to turn out in their thousands next week to see the Olympic Torch make its way through our towns. Since it started its journey at Land’s End on May 19, the torch has clocked up hundreds of miles, taking a route has been devised to take the torch to within an hour of 95 per cent of people in the UK over 70 days. Its journey will culminate in its arrival at the Olympic Stadium on July 27 for the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. On Monday, July 2, the torch will set off from Northampton towards Wellingborough and from there, travel through Isham to Kettering before moving on to Geddington and then Corby, from where it will leave the county and finish the day’s journey in Leicester. For details of the torch’s route, and some of the stories behind the county’s involvement in the relay, turn to Page 10.
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