Schoolgirl Overdoses After Alleging Sexual Assault, Inquest Reveals
A mother shares her daughter’s struggles after a sexual assault claim led to tragedy
Semina Halliwell, Southport, Merseyside, Overdose, Sexual Assault, Inquest
Southport: A heartbreaking story unfolded during an inquest about a 12-year-old girl named Semina Halliwell. She tragically overdosed on her mother’s medication after claiming she was sexually assaulted. Her mom, Rachel, shared that Semina felt like no one believed her.
Semina passed away on June 12, 2021, just three days after taking the pills at home. Rachel described her daughter as a once-happy girl who started to struggle after beginning at Stanley High School. Things took a turn for the worse when Semina confided in her mom about the assault that happened in January 2021.
Rachel was visibly emotional as she recounted how the incident changed Semina. She said it “destroyed her mentally, physically,” and that her daughter became a different person. After reporting the assault to the police, Semina even withdrew her complaint, feeling unsupported.
Rachel expressed her frustration, saying that telling a 12-year-old it could take years to go to court is not what a child needs to hear, especially one with autism. She felt there was a lack of support from the police, social services, and the school after the report was made.
When asked what might have changed if there had been better support, Rachel said simply, “She’d still be here today.” Semina faced bullying and violence after making her allegation, but she was determined to pursue her complaint, feeling that enough was enough.
Just before her overdose, Semina was with police officers at home, looking at CCTV footage. She expressed her frustration, saying, “I’ve had enough of this.” Her brother found her after she took the pills, and she was rushed to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, where she sadly passed away.
A consultant paediatrician later shared that Semina had asked if she was going to die and regretted taking the tablets, saying she only wanted to sleep for a couple of days. The inquest is expected to last for seven days, shedding light on this tragic situation.