Becky was welcomed to the world in Telford, Shropshire on December 13, 1988, as the cherished daughter of Torron Watson. Among her siblings, Leanne and later Daniel, she stood out as a bright, bubbly young girl whose infectious smile could light up any room. Becky's early days were marked by a heartwarming display of sibling love. Born prematurely, she found warmth in the tiny tear doll clothes intended for Leanne's Christmas gift. Leanne, filled with pride for her real-life baby doll sister, delightedly pushed Becky in a pram around the cul-de-sac.

Her zest for life was evident, and she was adored by her peers for her vibrant personality and intelligence. Becky was a bright and intelligent student, consistently excelling at school until the age of 11 when a noticeable decline began. Unbeknownst to her family, this marked a turning point as Becky grappled with a deep, dark secret. Despite her mom's desperate attempts to uncover the cause of her drastic behavioral changes, the truth remained concealed, revealing the silent struggles Becky faced.

In 2002 her life was tragically cut short in what was described by police as a prank gone wrong. The heartbreaking incident occurred when Becky, innocently sitting on the bonnet of a car, found herself in the midst of a tragic accident. The driver sped off for 200 yards, causing Becky to be thrown from the car leaving her in a vegetative state and with no hope of gaining consciousness. Becky’s life support was switched off five agonising hours after her arrival at A&E. The heart-wrenching news that she was braindead was shared with family just before midnight, casting a heavy veil of grief over them all. It took another excruciating hour to console everyone, especially her sister, and to find the strength to explain the heartbreaking reality to her 12-year-old brother. It was a solemn hour spent in the shadow of impending farewell, as they prepared to say their last goodbyes.

In a distressing revelation, Becky's mom was later given access to the police file, unveiling a shocking statement from a witness who rushed to the scene. This eyewitness account detailed a harrowing scene – a man forcefully shaking Becky. Astonishingly, this crucial testimony was never presented in court, neither was any statement from the passenger of the car who ran from the scene as the accused pleaded guilty to the charge of dangerous driving.

The proceedings took a disturbing turn as the barristers in court shifted the blame onto the deceased 13-year-old, leaving the 21-year-old man unquestioned and uninvestigated. The police failed to probe the circumstances surrounding why he assaulted Becky. Even his presence in the back of the ambulance when Becky's mom arrived went unexamined. The guilty plea seemingly marked the end of the investigation for the authorities, closing the case without delving into the deeper questions surrounding the tragic incident.

This heartbreaking turn of events cut short Becky's vibrant life, leaving an indelible mark on her loved ones.

Becky's sister discovered the details of what happened to Becky when she found a letter in her late sister's bedroom. The letter, addressed to a friend, described that Becky had endured being raped, revealing that a girl in her late teens had taken her to Birmingham. Confronting this girl at her residence, Becky's sister called the police from outside her house to report the incident involving her deceased sister. Stressing the urgency of an investigation without her mother's knowledge, Becky's sister emphasised that this revelation would be devastating for her mother, who had just buried her daughter. The police arrived at her mother's house late at night while she was sleeping to obtain the evidence. However, the police have no record of this incident, and they ‘misplaced’ the letter. Action on her sister's report of Becky being groomed and raped did not occur until later during investigations brought about by pressure from individuals showing concern.

Years later, an inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Telford revealed the painful truth that Becky had been a victim of such exploitation, failed by multiple entities including the police, medical professionals, and council agencies. Becky's story, along with that of several other girls, was utilised as a case study in the inquiry. The shocking evidence that emerged detailed how she was neglected by various agencies in Telford, leaving her entire family in profound shock.

Conducted independently, the inquiry led to a comprehensive report titled "Report of the Independent Inquiry Telford Child Sexual Exploitation" authored by Tom Crowther QC. This report shed light on the systemic failures and shortcomings in the response to child sexual exploitation in Telford, highlighting the urgent need for reforms and heightened awareness to protect vulnerable individuals like Becky in the future.

In his summary, Tom Crowther noted that:

• A thorough examination involved reading 1 ¼ million pages of material.

• The inquiry included interviews with 170 witnesses, some of whom were interviewed on several occasions.

“The overwhelming theme of the evidence has been the appalling suffering of generations of children caused by the utter cruelty of those who committed child sexual exploitation” - Tom Crowther (QC)

Child exploitation was callously disregarded and mislabeled as child prostitution by agencies. Shockingly, key agencies chose to place blame on the children rather than holding the perpetrators accountable.

The investigation into exploitation was hindered by a disturbing reluctance, which we, at Becky's Haven, believe was unjustly justified under the pretext of racial concerns—an excuse that prevented necessary actions from being taken.

Teachers and youth workers were actively discouraged from reporting child exploitation.

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) thrived unchecked in Telford. The account of a victim from the 70s, who received gifts of sweets in exchange for her silence, resonates with the experiences of victims exploited three decades later. The only notable change is in the nature of the gifts, shifting from sweets to modern items like mobile phones and top-ups.

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Telford was not hidden; key agencies were well aware of the details. However, evidence clearly indicates that both the council and the police failed to take it seriously. The agencies' failure to investigate effectively emboldened the offenders, while their inability to properly safeguard children put them at significant risk.

As far as the council and West Mercia Police were concerned, several factors seem to have played a role in this shocking failure to address child sexual exploitation (CSE):

1. A focus on abuse within the family, at the expense of addressing exploitation outside of the family unit.

2. Overcaution in taking action in the absence of "hard evidence," often requiring a formal complaint from a child regarding exploitation.

3. Apprehension about investigating concerns specifically against Southern Asian men, fearing that such investigations could exacerbate racial tensions.

These factors collectively contributed to a grave oversight and inadequate response to the pressing issue of child sexual exploitation in Telford.

In cases where a response was initiated, it proved unhelpful, with West Mercia Police dismissing young children's experiences as "unwise lifestyle choices." These children were wrongly treated as if they were putting themselves at risk rather than recognising them as intentional targets of exploitation.

For far too long, child sexual exploitation (CSE) was inadequately investigated, and all involved agencies focused on changing children's behavior instead of delving into the underlying reasons for their actions and targeting the criminal perpetrators.

Significant changes were only implemented by the police and council after external agencies reviewed their operations, shedding light on the failures in addressing CSE. It was the tireless efforts of a few individuals fighting for the truth that ultimately prompted these changes and revealed how the system had failed these vulnerable children.

It is important to highlight that survivors were under the impression that the initial terms of reference for the inquiry into child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Telford intended to investigate all cases involving CSE, irrespective of the perpetrators' backgrounds. However, when the terms of reference were set this was not the case, narrowing the scope to exclusively investigate cases involving Asian men and the failures of council agencies and the police. This shift in focus raises questions about the comprehensive examination of all instances of CSE in Telford.

Upon the release of the independent inquiry in 2022, Tom Crowther QC issued several recommendations to the police and council agencies. Notably, he declared his intention to publish a review assessing the implementation of these recommendations. This commitment underscores the accountability that will be held by these agencies concerning the recommendations, ensuring transparency and accountability for the benefit of the victims and the public at large.

The most effective defense against the recurrence of past failures is for the wider public to comprehend the nature of child sexual exploitation (CSE) and to remain vigilant in exposing it. This necessitates amplifying children's voices, ensuring they are widely heard, and fostering a deep understanding of the experiences of victims and survivors.

This report has provided a platform for the adult voices that were once ignored, marginalised, and, shockingly, blamed for their own exploitation when they were children. It is a crucial step in acknowledging their experiences and working collectively to prevent such failures from happening again in the future.

To see Becky's case study included in the report click here:

questions about transparency, accountability, and the efficacy of the support system designed to protect vulnerable individuals like Becky.

In recent years, surviving victims of the notorious grooming gang in Telford have bravely stepped forward, revealing a chilling connection to the man responsible for Becky's untimely death. Shockingly, these accounts suggest that he was not only involved in the tragic incident involving Becky but was also a member of the same notorious gang responsible for countless other atrocities. Despite these damning revelations, this individual continues to roam the streets freely, evading any form of investigation or accountability. The unsettling truth raises profound questions about the efficacy of the justice system and the urgent need for authorities to address the allegations surrounding his involvement in both Becky's case and the broader activities of the grooming gang.

The findings within the report strongly suggest that Becky was potentially groomed by older girls, revealing a disturbing aspect of her harrowing experience. The dynamics of grooming, especially when perpetrated by older individuals, underscore the vulnerability of young victims and the urgent need for comprehensive measures to protect children from such exploitation. This sobering realisation emphasises the importance of increased awareness, education, and intervention to prevent similar incidents and provide support for those who have endured such traumatic experiences.

It was during the three-year investigation from 2012 to 2015 that police informed Becky's mom they had evidence suggesting she was trafficked to hotels in Birmingham and Manchester, enduring unimaginable abuse. However, to this day in 2023, nobody who exploited her has been brought to justice.

Becky passed away burdened by the weight of unaddressed trauma. No convictions were secured against her abusers, and thorough investigations into their actions were neglected. Shockingly, her abusers remain free, walking the streets to this day. The police's failure to investigate her death and abuse is a painful truth. They should have insisted on examining her phone and delving into her belongings, including school books. Providing support to her friends who were present at the scene was a missed opportunity. If they had probed deeper, more girls could have been saved from exploitation, and the charges against him might have escalated from a mere road traffic act violation to manslaughter or murder. The consequences of this oversight are both heartbreaking and deeply significant.

In response to this tragic injustice, Becky's Haven emerged with a mission to raise awareness about child sexual exploitation. The organization is dedicated to providing education to prevent children from falling victim to grooming gangs. Additionally, it offers crucial support to adults who have survived exploitation, ensuring that Becky's death serves a purpose — to prevent others from enduring the same fate and to bring attention to the urgent need for systemic change.

Becky's tragic story is a stark illustration of systemic failures, evident in the findings of the independent inquiry, which unequivocally establishes her as a victim of child sexual exploitation. The inquiry illuminates a distressing reality: despite her courageous disclosures to medical professionals, youth workers, and the police, as well as her mother's relentless pleas for help from various agencies, little to nothing was done to protect her.

Despite Becky's mom's desperate pleas for help and the involvement of child services in the family's life, a disturbing turn of events unfolded. Shockingly, Child Services later asserted that they had no knowledge of Becky and no prior dealings with the family. This blatant denial contradicted the reality of the situation, as two of their employees were present at Becky's funeral, paying their respects to the young life that had been tragically taken. The stark inconsistency between the official statement and the observable presence of child services personnel during the funeral raises troubling

Becky, my cherished middle child, graced our lives on December 13, 1988, weighing a delicate 5lb 4oz, resembling a tiny, precious doll. From the very beginning, her inquisitive and independent spirit set her apart.

Surrounded by a multitude of friends, Becky had a magnetic personality that filled our home with laughter and the joy of shared moments. She had a particular fondness for TV shows like 'Friends' and characters like Bart Simpson, showcasing her vibrant, playful spirit. Becky's diverse dreams unfolded over the years, ranging from a desire to assist orphaned chimpanzees in Africa to aspiring to be a fashion designer and singer.

Undoubtedly, Becky had an undeniable presence; she could light up any room with her infectious energy. The aftermath of her untimely death left a palpable silence in our family home, a stark reminder of the vibrant life that once filled our spaces.

During her final months, Becky would fill our home with the beats of her favorite song, Daniel Bedingfield's 'Gotta Get Thru This.' It's a song that took on new meaning after her passing.

Reflecting on her Spice Girls fandom, a particular memory of Becky's joy stands out. During a market trip with her and a friend, Becky eagerly sought out a Ginger Spice-inspired dress for an upcoming holiday. In a whimsical moment, Becky eagerly expressed her wish that they had her size for the Ginger Spice dress. Reflecting on it now, it's amusing because, in reality, it was me who playfully hoped they didn't have Becky's size. The genuine excitement Becky showed during that time remains a treasured and heartwarming memory of her vibrant spirit.

The difficulty in revisiting cherished memories is profoundly challenging, overshadowed by the tragic circumstances that enveloped Becky's untimely death. The continued shortcomings of various police investigations to hold anyone accountable for the harm inflicted upon Becky deepen the emotional strain. The absence of closure and accountability in these investigations imposes an overwhelming burden, making it increasingly arduous for me to find comfort in reminiscing about the precious moments shared with Becky.