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The Letter: My 50 Year Fight For Justice
Co-written by the writer of Sunday Times bestsellers The Asylum, The Convent, Silent Sisters and Abandoned
Harrowing emotional story of horrific sexual abuse at the hands of a father
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 go.
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 has felt unable to carry on.
She “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.”
Harrowing emotional story of horrific sexual abuse at the hands of a father
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 go.
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 has felt unable to carry on.
She “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.”
236 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 24, 2024
22 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 8, 2025
Review of The Letter by Sarah Sidebottom with Ann Cusack.
The Letter is a poignant and courageous memoir by Sarah Sidebottom, detailing her 50-year fight for justice following the sexual abuse she endured as a child. Co-authored with Ann Cusack, the narrative is both harrowing and inspiring, shedding light on the long-term effects of abuse and the resilience required to seek justice.
The book chronicles Sarah’s journey from the initial trauma to the eventual legal proceedings that led to the conviction of her abusers. The inclusion of Sarah Sidebottom’s perspective adds depth, offering insights into the complexities of the legal system and the personal toll such a prolonged battle can take.
While the subject matter is undeniably heavy, the authors’ candidness and determination make this memoir a compelling read. It serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the importance of speaking out against injustice.
For those interested in true stories of resilience and the pursuit of justice, The Letter is a must-read. I would also suggest reading the book overview on Amazon to understand the narrative and topic better.
If you enjoyed this book or have an interest in fostering memoirs and fiction, consider joining the Fostering, Memoirs Fiction Book Club. We discuss a wide range of books, connecting with fellow book lovers who share a passion for diverse narratives.
The Letter is a poignant and courageous memoir by Sarah Sidebottom, detailing her 50-year fight for justice following the sexual abuse she endured as a child. Co-authored with Ann Cusack, the narrative is both harrowing and inspiring, shedding light on the long-term effects of abuse and the resilience required to seek justice.
The book chronicles Sarah’s journey from the initial trauma to the eventual legal proceedings that led to the conviction of her abusers. The inclusion of Sarah Sidebottom’s perspective adds depth, offering insights into the complexities of the legal system and the personal toll such a prolonged battle can take.
While the subject matter is undeniably heavy, the authors’ candidness and determination make this memoir a compelling read. It serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the importance of speaking out against injustice.
For those interested in true stories of resilience and the pursuit of justice, The Letter is a must-read. I would also suggest reading the book overview on Amazon to understand the narrative and topic better.
If you enjoyed this book or have an interest in fostering memoirs and fiction, consider joining the Fostering, Memoirs Fiction Book Club. We discuss a wide range of books, connecting with fellow book lovers who share a passion for diverse narratives.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2025
This was a difficult read. It is heartbreaking to know kids experience things like this at all and even more disturbing when it lasts this long and so many people turned a blind eye. The fact that she’s working to ensure others don’t have the same experience is hopeful, but she’s had to overcome so much.
June 17, 2025
Traumatic Read
To write this book was tremendously brave because of the terrible trauma Sarah endured throughout her childhood. It does make some very difficult and upsetting reading.
To write this book was tremendously brave because of the terrible trauma Sarah endured throughout her childhood. It does make some very difficult and upsetting reading.
March 10, 2026
4.5 Stars
I had to DNF this book, not because it was bad, but because how disturbing it was.
I had to DNF this book, not because it was bad, but because how disturbing it was.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews