I have just finished reading Stolen Girl by Katie Taylor and Veronica Clarke, http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00AWR8RL0?ie=UTF8&ref_=oce_digital. The book relates the true story of how 13-year-old Katie Taylor is groomed by a paedophile gang and systematically raped and used as the gang’s sex toy. The book opens with Katie trick or treating with her brother Andrew and her father at the age of 10, however this innocent pastime is replaced only two years later by horrific sexual abuse.
Katie is bullied at school and has a low opinion of herself making her an easy target for the paedophile group lead by Zeb. Zeb and the other men who abuse Katie ply her with alcohol and drugs to loosen her inhibitions. They claim to love Katie but their sole aim is to sexually abuse her. The final straw comes when Zeb asks the 15-year-old Katie to become a prostitute (thus far she hasn’t received money but Katie has, as mentioned above been plied with drugs and alcohol). Katie is so shocked and frightened by the suggestion that she confides in her school’s councillor who alerts the police. Following a wait of 2 years the 18-year-old Katie sees Zeb and several other of the gang’s members sentenced to long terms of imprisonment, however she is bitter that a number of the men who abused her are found not guilty.
The book raises two sensitive issues, that of paedophilia and Asian sex gangs. While stating that the majority of Asians deplore the sexual abuse of children the authors make it clear that all of the men who abused Katie where of Asian origin. Katie’s story is horrific and is wholly credible. However we should, if that is possible put her experience into context. Most Asian men do not abuse children and (as the authors acknowledge) are horrified by paedophilia. Also it should be borne in mind that the ongoing investigations into allegations of child abuse surrounding the late Sir Jimmy Savile relate primarily if not exclusively to alegations made against white European males. The bottom line is that people of all races commit acts of paedophilia and they should be condemned irrespective of their ethnic origin. I recommend this book.
K Morris - Poet 
I have also just finished reading the book and it does make uncomfortable reading in certain chapters. I was firstly disgusted at the Teaching assistants failure deal with the situation regarding the pencil case. From my own experienceof the teaching assistants I have worked with they have been very quick to stop and report any bullying issue that they become aware of. Katie I think seemed to stumple from one situation that was bad into another but each time felt that life wa s improving. The story is of one of life natural victims that has the capacity to make you feel the full rajnge of feelings. To echo what another reviewer said, Katie states that all of her abusers where Asian males ranging from 18 to the “age of her father”. It is important to remember 2 things.. Firstly as she her self states not all Asian men are abusers, ther attackers where in the minority. Secondly Zeb tells her if she does not comply with what he says then she places her own mother in danger . She was a young teen girl who thought that the threats were real. Katie makes several comments about the violent nature of Zeb and therefo0re does what he says aided by the numbing effect of alcohol , drugs and self harm.. Katie has now found “happiness” and has turned her life around. It is a story that shows now amter how dark things are there is light at the end of the tunnel
Many thanks for your comment. It is a while since I posted this review and your comments make me think that I should re-read Stolen Girl. Kind regards, Kevin
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