Southampton survivor of child sex abuse bravely speaks out

Amy Chorley watched on as the man who inflicted lifelong trauma on her as a child was handed a seven-year and 10 month jail sentence at Southampton Crown Court.

'Frightening' Benjamin Hassell, 70, was found guilty of indecently assaulting Amy decades after he was welcomed into the family as her grandmother's then partner in 1987.

Brave Amy, 43, has waived her right to anonymity to encourage other people who have been abused to feel they can come forward to police.

She is pleased “deceptive” Hassell - who also admitted six offences of making indecent images of children, one of taking and one of possession - is now behind bars as her priority was “to make sure he was not able to harm anybody else”.

"What he did to me didn't just hurt me that night, but harmed me to the present day," she said in her victim impact statement she read out in court.

For years she was left feeling like her "brain was not working properly and shutting things off" until she was finally diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in recent years.

Amy had been left alone in her grandmother’s bedroom in Southampton with Hassell, then 33, who “took advantage of this young girl when he was given the chance,” the court was told.

Speaking to the Echo, Amy said: "As a child, he was very frightening to me.

“I didn't have the power when this happened to me, but I have the power today."

Amy Chorley (Image: Maya George, Newsquest)

Amy came forward to the police in 2020, some 33 years after she was assaulted. "I felt like people would continue to deny what happened," she said.

A police investigation and lengthy court process followed, but she finally feels a weight has been lifted off her shoulders.

She said: “I absolutely think justice has been served. I can't be any happier with the way the justice system has supported me.

“All of the people at the police force were absolutely phenomenal and I cannot fault anyone involved, from witness protection to the courts.”

Amy had been living with her grandmother at the time of the assault when Hassell, of Clarendon Road, Southampton, took advantage.

In court, Prosecutor Tom Wright said she was “very vulnerable” as there was a “significant disparity” between their ages.

Amy was left alone in her grandmother’s bedroom with Hassell, who “took advantage of this young girl when he was given the chance”.

She was abused in a place where she was “supposed to feel safe” and had trust with whom she lived with.

During the hearing at Southampton Crown Court, Hassell’s defence counsel offered no mitigation.

Benjamin Hassell (Image: Hampshire police)

Passing sentence, Judge Christopher Parker KC said: “Looking at the evidence of what took place, it is clear you have an enduring sexual interest in children.

“And it is clear you took advantage of a young girl, who because of her age was particularly vulnerable.

“The root of it is that the damage was caused by you.

“She suffered substantial psychological harm because of what you did.”

Amy has since left the city, starting afresh. She said: “The most important thing to me is having an awareness of and stopping inter-generational trauma.

“Dysfunctional families can often hide abuse so it is important someone steps outside of that.

“Doing that for my son and other children in my family has been my driving force.”

Amy is keen to inspire change and help other victims of historic sexual abuse speak out.

She said: “Not everyone wants to bring the charges to trial and that is okay.

“But being able to speak about it brings victims freedom. I want people to know that you will be supported if you do this.

“I hope the work I do now will continue that support.”

• For domestic and sexual abuse/violence support, call Yellow Door on 02380 338 080, available 24 hours a day. 
• If you are worried about a child you can call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000