Epping: Sexual abuse survivor speaks out as perpetrator is jailed

A survivor of sexual offences, who was subjected to many years of sexual abuse has directly addressed her perpetrator today, as he is jailed for 10 years and 6 months.

Terry Crabb, 71 of Star Lane, London appeared at Chelmsford Court Court on Friday, 25 August where he was sentenced after pleading guilty to multiple sexual offences against children.

An investigation into Crabb was launched in April 2020 after a survivor bravely reported the years of sexual abuse she had been subjected to in Loughton.

The investigation was managed by Essex Police’s Quest team, who are trained in investigating non-recent sexual offences where the victim was a child at the time.

Enquiries revealed that Crabb had started sexually abusing the victim when she was 13-years-old.

He was arrested in June 2020. In interview, Crabb denied all offences. Further enquiries revealed that Crabb was in possession of a number of indecent images of the victim.

He was later charged and pleaded guilty to 4 counts of sexual activity with a girl 13 to 15 and two counts of taking an indecent photograph of a child and three counts of making an indecent photograph of a child.

He appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday 25 August where he was sentenced to 10 years and 6 months in prison.

'You are a coward'

Following the sentence, the survivor in this case said what she’d like to say to Terry Crabb now:

“I still remember the very first time you laid your hands on me and I remember how uncomfortable and frozen I was when it happened.
“At first, I wondered if it was a one off, but then I soon realised the flood gates had been opened and you would keep taking what you wanted.
“I wanted to say something, but I never thought I could.
“I remember talking about self- harm; you would tell me only cowards did that. The only coward I’ve ever known, was you.”

Detective Constable Emily Monk said:

“Crabb manipulated this victim into thinking that his offences were normal and that she’d have to accept them as part of her life.
“This sentence is a direct result of the bravery she has demonstrated in breaking out of years of abuse.
“I hope she is able to move forward with her life.”

Crabb will remain subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and lifelong notification requirements.

Essex Police’s Quest team investigates non-recent sexual offences cases where the victim was a child at the time of the abuse but is now an adult.

Support is there for anyone affected by rape and sexual abuse, and no victim or survivor is alone. Synergy Essex provides specialist support for victims and survivors of rape and sexual abuse of all ages and all genders across Essex, Thurrock and Southend.

Synergy Essex is a partnership of rape and sexual abuse centres in Essex: CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse), SERICC Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis).

Synergy Essex is independent from the police and provides support for victims and survivors throughout their journey.

Victims and survivors can self-refer, or be referred by a parent, partner, friend or professional and can access specialist emotional support, counselling and advocacy.

For victims and survivors who report to the police, Synergy Essex provides an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) service, providing support throughout the criminal justice process.

For more information visit the Synergy Essex website: https://synergyessex.org.uk/

Synergy Essex provides support and guidance for survivors of sexual and sexual abuse across Essex.

The Essex Rape Crisis Partnership is formed of three organisations:

• CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) who cover mid and north Essex.
• SERICC (Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service) who cover South and West Essex.
• SOS Rape Crisis who cover Southend, Castle Point and Rochford.

Survivors can self-refer and receive emotional support, specialist sexual violence and abuse counselling and or specialist advocacy services, no matter when the sexual violence or abuse occurred. In addition to this, they also offer support to survivor’s loved ones.

For more information about how to get support, visit the Synergy Essex website.