Rotherham grooming gang victim hits out at decision to let rapist into son's life

Sammy Woodhouse, a victim of Rotherham’s child sex grooming gang, has hit out at a council's decision to offer her rapist a chance to be a part of her son's life.

Woodhouse, now 33, was repeatedly raped by Arshid Hussain and she was just 15 when she gave birth to his baby.

Although Hussain was not named on the boy’s birth certificate and had no parental responsibility for the child, last year he was contacted by officials from Rotherham Council saying he had a right to see the boy.

Hussain is currently serving 35 years in prison for multiple rape offences against nine victims, some as young as 11 years old.

Last night, Woodhouse waved her anonymity and posted an emotional video on microblogging site Twitter slamming the council for its decision.

She said: “This story is about myself, my son and the man that raped me and the fact Rotherham Council have offered him to apply for parental rights over my child. This is happening all over the country and it needs to stop. Children are being removed, given to rapists, murderers, for their family to have access.

“Rape victims are also having to go to support centres to share access, to see the men that raped them. I’m now calling on the government to change the law to ensure rapists can’t gain access to children conceived through rape. I’m asking the public to join the campaign. People - women and children - are being put at direct risk.”

Woodhouse said she revealed her identity with her son's permission.

The 33-year-old mum added: “I was gobsmacked. The council knew what he did to me and to other vulnerable girls. They knew he was behind bars and a risk to my son, who wanted nothing to do with him, but they bent over backwards to include him in the case. I felt angry and scared for my son.”

The Ministry of Justice has launched an investigation into this matter.

Louise Haigh, the shadow police and crime minister, said that the council’s decision to offer Hussain a chance to be involved in the upbringing of the child was an "invitation to retraumatise his victim."