Brave rape survivor demands law change to stop her rapist meeting their son
A survivor of the Rotherham child abuse scandal is calling for an urgent change in the law after her jailed rapist, who is the father of her child, was offered help by social workers to be involved in their son's upbringing.
Brave Sammy Woodhouse blew the whistle on the scandal, uncovering the biggest child exploitation scandal in British history.
Sammy was just 14 when she was raped and fell pregnant by the man who was one of a group of men originating found guilting of grooming girls for sex. Arshid Hussain, who originates from Pakistan, is currently serving a 35-year jail term for his crimes. Sammy has waived her right to anonymity to speak out about the scandal.
Sammy claims social workers offered support to Hussain to help him contact his son. He was told he could have his son visit him behind bars and start a claim for his family to have custody of the child, it is alleged. Ms Woodhouse was apparently told that her former abuser would be allowed to attend court and seek legal representation, should he wish to do so.
Speaking to Good Morning Britain, Sammy said: "I was absolutely mortified when I found out. The fact that [the council] didn't even tell me what they were doing until I was at court.
"I honestly thought I'd never have to deal with this man ever again".
She went on to say: "My son is not his son. He's my son. And my son said to me a few years ago, 'Mum, am I a rape baby?' and I said, 'No, you're not. You're my baby.' My son has found this extremely difficult."
A spokesperson for Rotherham Council, which is at the centre of the row, said: “Councils are not allowed to disclose information relating to proceedings heard in private in the Family Court. Like all councils, we must comply with legal requirements, including Practice Directions, and that would include giving notice of proceedings to parents with or without formal parental responsibility.
"Often and understandably, cases before the family court are emotive and arouse strong feelings amongst those affected. We do understand that the legal requirements can cause upset to those involved and so we welcome a debate around this issue, which applies across England and Wales.”
The Ministry of Justice is investigating whether or not this was a systematic failing - or an error by a social worker. In a statement to Good Morning Britain, it said: "This is obviously a very distressing incident and the relevant departments and local authority will work urgently to understand and address the failings in this case.
"Local authorities can apply to courts to request permission not to notify parents without parental responsibility about care proceedings, and courts should consider the potential harm to the child and mother when making this decision.”