A survivor of childhood sexual abuse who waited more than 40 years for justice says he is living proof that it’s never too late to come forward.
Derek*, who suffered repeated assaults by a man in the 1970s, chose to stay silent throughout his adult life—primarily out of fear that he wouldn’t be believed.
Combined with misplaced shame and a distrust of the police, that fear kept Derek from sharing his abuse even with his wife.
Everything changed when a storyline in a TV soap opera spurred him into action—leading him to meet the officers who would help transform his life.
He explained: “I was watching Emmerdale with my wife, and there was a storyline about a young boy who’d been sexually abused. That particular episode showed his flashbacks, and it just triggered something in me. I started crying—it was like opening Pandora’s box.
“I tried to hold it in, but my wife knew something was wrong. Eventually, I told her that what happened to the character on TV had also happened to me. It all just came pouring out.”
After confiding in his wife and someone from the time of the abuse, Derek decided to go to the police.
What followed not only changed his life and secured his abuser’s imprisonment—but also reshaped his perception of the police.
“I grew up in a community where you didn’t trust the police,” said Derek. “In fact, I’d go out of my way to avoid them. But when I finally spoke to them, their response completely contradicted every negative thought I’d ever had.
“Two officers came to my house, and I can’t praise them enough for how sympathetic, patient, and caring they were. Talking about it was horrible, but in that moment, I felt safe.”
Derek was then taken to a police station to give a video-recorded interview—an evidential account that could later be used in court.
There, he met Detective Constable Helen Sanders—a woman he now affectionately calls “Supercop”.
“I don’t have the words to explain how much she helped me,” he said. “She was honest, telling me the investigation would be hard and might take years. But one thing she said changed everything: ‘I believe you.’ No matter how it ended, she believed me. As a police officer, she believed what happened to me.
“For survivors like me, that was huge. I knew the police were on my side. Of course, I wanted justice—but above all, I needed to be believed.”
Though not the first to report his abuser, Derek’s testimony was so compelling that it helped detectives connect previous reports and identify new victims.
In 2024—eight years after coming forward—Derek watched in court as former Scout leader and children’s home worker Steven McNally (67) was jailed for 26 years for offences against five boys.
The investigation, already complex, faced severe delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and legal hurdles. At times, Derek nearly gave up—but DC Sanders’ unwavering support kept him going.
“She was more than an officer—she was a counsellor, even an anger management coach. I called her ‘Supercop’ because she was always there. She never sugar-coated things but promised to do everything to bring my abuser to justice. And she did.”
Now, with the trial over, Derek urges other survivors to come forward—for themselves and others.
“I won’t pretend it’s easy, because it isn’t. It won’t erase the past or the shame you might feel. But in my experience, the truth unburdens you.
“If you’re telling the truth, you have nothing to fear. At the very least, the police will have vital information to act on later.
“To men like me: I understand the shame, the reluctance to even think about it. But the only person who should feel shame is the one who hurt you.
“It’s never too late to speak up. What you tell your family is your choice—but you can trust the police to treat you with dignity, respect, and confidentiality.”
*We have changed Derek’s name to protect his identity.
• Steven McNally: Police detail the case after Nottinghamshire abuser jailed for 26 years
