Survivors complete many activities to raise funds for BSARCS after their support, we caught up with Sarah who coordinated a book signing and raffle event to raise money for our services, alongside dedicating her new book called “The Letter”. We spoke with Sarah about her amazing achievement:
“The Letter is my book that I have written with a co-writer Ann Cusack.
This book was difficult for me to write, and I wrote it, as it was my way of self-healing and getting my truth out there. Also, I want to share awareness that victims can get justice even with historical cases. I dedicated the book to BSARCS and did my book signing and raffle event, raising £500 for BSARCS, as Staff helped me get through some of my toughest times for over three years, right up to getting to trial. BSARCS deserve the recognition as my Advocate went above and beyond, without her support I would not be here today, she helped me get the justice I deserved. Thank-you so much.”
A total of £500 was raised by Sarah, which will support us to continue our work across Barnsley. If you are interested in finding out more about the book, you can do below:
Sarah Sidebottom was repeatedly raped by both her father and her brother as a child has secured justice thanks to a forgotten letter.
Sarah Sidebottom, 54, was raped and sexually abused by her father, Arthur William Bowditch, and her brother, Arthur Stephen Bowditch. They were jailed in 2022 for a total of 32 years.
The first attack, when she was just three and a half years old, left Sarah needing surgery to repair internal damage. A decades-old letter from her doctor proved crucial in securing a conviction for the abuse, which began almost 50 years ago.
Sarah, 54, now happily married and a mum of two, runs a charity for ex-army veterans with her husband, Darren, himself a former soldier, in Barnsley, South Yorks. She’s even been a guest at Buckingham palace in her charity role – a far cry from the suffering of her early years. Sarah also shares a special bond with her dog, Kayla, a German Shepherd, who saved her life when she felt unable to carry on.
She says: “I had no idea about the surgery until 2021, and I saw my medical records. I was horrified, but at the same time, this was exactly what the prosecution needed to build a case against my father. After staying silent for nearly 50 years, part of my healing process is having a voice and speaking out.”
You can purchase Sarah’s book here.
