I Was Trafficked and Raped by 1500 Men – Only an Inquiry Can Bring Justice
Emily Vaughn, a survivor, demands a national inquiry into grooming gangs in the UK
Emily Vaughn, Trafficking, Grooming Gangs, Telford, UK
Telford: Emily Vaughn’s story is heartbreaking. She was a victim of horrific abuse, trafficked and raped by over 1,500 men. Can you imagine that? It’s just unimaginable.
From ages 14 to 20, she faced unimaginable trauma at the hands of these predators. Most of them were of Pakistani origin, and she’s now calling for a national inquiry into these grooming gangs that have operated across the UK.
Emily was taken from her home in Wales to various places, including Telford. She was part of an inquiry back in 2018, which revealed that authorities had ignored these crimes for years. They estimated that over 1,000 girls had suffered similar abuse.
Now 35, Emily feels that her voice wasn’t heard during those interviews. She says, “Some might think those calling for an inquiry are just far-right supporters, but that’s not the point. We need to focus on the victims.”
She recalls how she was just a happy kid in rural Wales until bullying made her vulnerable. By 12, she was already in trouble with the law. It all spiraled from there.
Emily started hanging out at a local kebab shop, where she was repeatedly raped and exploited. She didn’t even know what was happening to her at first. It was all so confusing.
Her first experience of gang rape was when she was just 14. A friend took her to meet some boys, and before she knew it, she was trapped in a car with older men. It was terrifying.
She remembers being pulled and pushed around, feeling completely helpless. Afterward, she was left in pain and humiliation, told to just get dressed and stop crying. It’s heartbreaking to think about.
Emily started using drugs and alcohol to cope, thinking it was the only way to get attention. The men would show her fake affection, only to abuse her again. It was a vicious cycle.
She wanted to tell the police but was too scared of the repercussions. She was arrested multiple times, but the system failed her. She believes a public inquiry could bring some accountability and help victims like her feel heard.
Emily is now working with a charity to support other victims. She’s passionate about making sure no one else goes through what she did. She wants to change the system for the better.
When asked about justice, she says it means feeling safe and empowered. It’s a long road, but she’s determined to keep fighting for herself and others.