Brave Georgina breaks her silence over appalling six-year sexual abuse to help launch project
A brave teenager who was victim of an appalling series of sexual abuse over a six-year period at the hands of her father has broken her silence.
Georgina Wren, aged 17, has waived her anonymity as part of a bid to overcome the years of suffering.
She is to launch an innovative project which will see her raising the awareness of sexual abuse with children in schools.
Georgina, who lives in Bilston, first fell victim to her father, Timothy Wren, when she was just seven years old.
He groomed her with gifts and money, and made her promise not to tell anyone about their 'special bond'.
But the truth came out when Georgina told her mother, Karen Gee, four years ago.
Miss Gee, who was separated from Wren, told police, who subsequently arrested him.
He denied the sexual abuse – putting Georgina, and her family, through the ordeal of a three-week long trial, with the then 15-year-old having to stand in court defending her true story.
"I'd visit my father every weekend and that is when the abuse took place," she said.
"It happened for so long that what happened became the norm.
"As I got older I knew it was wrong. But I loved my dad and I didn't want to see him get in to trouble."
But the impact on Georgina's life was traumatic. She suffered deep depression and on six occasions tried to take her own life by taking medication overdoses.
The first time was during the abuse.
And although the attacks eventually stopped when Georgina broke her silence, the pain stayed with her.
She watched her father get sent to jail for 17 years, at a time she was taking her GCSEs, where she achieved good grades.
But then over the next two years which followed she struggled to settle.
On six more occasions she tried to take her life.
A college course there, a job here – but what happened had affected her too much.
Until now.
Georgina and her family, mother Karen, brother Tim and sister Katie, are beginning a project which will see her raise the issue of sexual abuse among young people.
She believes the problem is rife and not enough people are speaking out.
She will tell children what is right and wrong, how they should tell authorities and what families can do to support.
With the support of police she is presenting her idea to schools and businesses at Bilston Town Hall next month.
She said: "At last, this is something which is allowing me to focus on something and be able to move on with my life."
She will vary the presentation depending on the age of the children she provides it to. The youngest age group she is aiming to present to is five year olds.
Her and her family will provide a talk, while also showing a video with actors.
The work has received support from Wolverhampton Head of Crime and Operations Superintendent Keith Frazer.
Georgina's mother Karen, aged 46, also from Bilston, said: "When she told me what happened I was in shock.
"I told the police and received support – but the abuse impacted not just Georgina, but the whole family.
"We have all worked together, supporting each other as we try to bounce back and make good of the terrible things which happened."
Timothy Wren, aged 51, of Holloway Street, Wolverhampton was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court, following the trial at Wolverhampton.
During the sentencing the judge, Judge Michael Challinor, praised Georgina for coming forward to report what had happened and awarded her £500 out of public funds 'for the courage she has shown'.
He told him: "You have been convicted after a trial of a catalogue of appalling sexual abuse.
"You began to use her as a pure sexual object... and your grooming of her became so complete by plying her with money and gifts.
"This was a ghastly introduction to sex. What you have done may echo throughout the rest of her life."
Speaking at the sentence, Mr Robert Cowley, who represented him, said: "He will find it very difficult to find employment again because of these convictions and when he's released from custody he will live his remaining days lonely, isolated with very little means at his disposal."
