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No Way Out
“They’d degraded me to the point where I’d become this sex thing – this thing that wasn’t human, but just an object. To the point where I believed that’s what I was.”
Kate’s ordeal began when she was living in sheltered accommodation, and she was violently introduced to an Asian sex ring. Traumatised and alone, she was too weak to try to escape or even tell anyone. Four years later, she had been passed between over 70 men in the West Midlands, was on drugs, and suffered with PTSD so severe she was on the edge of suicide. So when Operation Chalice came to recruit her, would she be strong enough to turn the tables and bring her abusers down?
Kate’s ordeal began when she was living in sheltered accommodation, and she was violently introduced to an Asian sex ring. Traumatised and alone, she was too weak to try to escape or even tell anyone. Four years later, she had been passed between over 70 men in the West Midlands, was on drugs, and suffered with PTSD so severe she was on the edge of suicide. So when Operation Chalice came to recruit her, would she be strong enough to turn the tables and bring her abusers down?
320 pages, Paperback
Published July 12, 2018
42 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 22, 2018
Okay, so... I don't know how to rate this without feeling like I'm personally attacking the author. I don't mean to do that at all.
I tend to be drawn towards these kinds of books. Books about being used and abused as a young person without even truly knowing it's happening until, well, it's happened.
I did complete this book, but I only really enjoyed the end when she goes through the trials. As morbid as it sounds, I like a book with detail so you can truly understand what the person went through. I didn't find that this book did that for me. I found a lot of it seemed repetitive and very pg. Almost as if she didn't actually want to write the book or something.
I probably wouldn't recommend this book. There are plenty of books with the same type of storyline that I've read that I would recommend over this one.
I tend to be drawn towards these kinds of books. Books about being used and abused as a young person without even truly knowing it's happening until, well, it's happened.
I did complete this book, but I only really enjoyed the end when she goes through the trials. As morbid as it sounds, I like a book with detail so you can truly understand what the person went through. I didn't find that this book did that for me. I found a lot of it seemed repetitive and very pg. Almost as if she didn't actually want to write the book or something.
I probably wouldn't recommend this book. There are plenty of books with the same type of storyline that I've read that I would recommend over this one.
June 12, 2019
Wow this was hard work. Not because of the way it was written but because of what this poor girl went through.
I feel ashamed to be English reading this as this is happening now and has happened for the last 30/40 years. I am not saying only a particular set of men rape young girls but these grooming gangs are of a particular sort shall we say.
The author describes how these men do it on an industrial scale and others in their community join in or simply turn a blind eye. Young girls with no parents or social issues are a target and these cowards will do anything to rape them and pimp them out.
Our authorities in England are not as decisive in dealing with this for fear of being called racist. BUT it needs addressing and these groups of men educating that women are equal in the UK and so are young girls.
Good on you Katie for turning your life around too.
I feel ashamed to be English reading this as this is happening now and has happened for the last 30/40 years. I am not saying only a particular set of men rape young girls but these grooming gangs are of a particular sort shall we say.
The author describes how these men do it on an industrial scale and others in their community join in or simply turn a blind eye. Young girls with no parents or social issues are a target and these cowards will do anything to rape them and pimp them out.
Our authorities in England are not as decisive in dealing with this for fear of being called racist. BUT it needs addressing and these groups of men educating that women are equal in the UK and so are young girls.
Good on you Katie for turning your life around too.
August 27, 2018
Difficult to read yet so important to do so.
April 20, 2019
What an awful book. And by that, I mean what a stupid woman this is about. Okay I get how she was originally. abused and how that happened. I get that she was weak and manipulated etc. However, she then seems to spend the next few years seeking out new people to abuse her, new people to be abused by, and even when she realises she's being abused, she still goes back for more. She's not even living in the same town as them, but she continues to travel on a train to where they live to be abused by them, she doesn't learn her lesson, and she continues to allow different people to abuse her. She invites these people into her life and even on every occasion she can walk away and not go back, she does. I've been in an abusive relationship and I woke up and got out, but no way would I allow that to happen again and keep travelling hours on a train to my abusers knowing that's what will happen when I get there. DON'T GET ON THE TRAIN! I had sympathy for her originally, but when she then started travelling to Birmingham from Kent once a week to be abused by different men you kind of lose all hope. I just got angry with her. There are women and girls who have been trafficked all over the world, are locked in rooms and chained to beds and forced into the sex industry. These are the women and girls who I feel sorry for, and women and girls who are forced into slavery. She was forced originally but in round two she made her own choices and she allowed that to happen to herself over and over again. I'm glad some of the original men got sentences, I'm sorry some of the others didn't, but what happened after that is just embarrassing and if that was me I wouldn't be admitting it to anyone. You're an idiot and there is just no helping you. I hope you've finally learnt your lesson now!
August 20, 2025
Esse livro aborda um assunto pavoroso. E ler sobre a história da Kate é uma confirmação de como é fácil para abusadores controlarem pessoas que não contam com rede de apoio. A autora, apesar de ter família, não era podia contar muito com eles e a relação era um pouco estranha a ponto de ela não se sentir confortável dentro da própria casa. Acho que faltava comunicação também. É muito difícil para uma pessoa nem uma situação assim, que não tem quem a ajude, sair do ciclo de abuso.
A autora nos dá uma boa noção disso. Porém, o modo como ela conta a história é muito cansativa, e foi isso que me impediu de gostar do livro.
Achei que a Kate usa a maior parte do livro para descrever todos os episódios de abuso e estupr0s. Em determinado momento fica tão repetitivo que parece que o livro não sai do lugar, que você está lendo a mesma coisa, o que além de deixar o leitor cansado, gera uma frustração também com as atitudes da autora. Na hora dos julgamentos, eu nem sabia de quem ela estava falando, os nomes se perderam. Aliás, essa parte dos julgamentos e a forma como ela vai conseguindo melhorar são muito rápidas e superficiais, e talvez esse seria o foco mais interessante. O grupo de apoio anônimo, que aparentemente teve grande importância, foi reduzido a poucos parágrafos.
Enfim, é sem dúvida um relato chocante. É muito absurdo como uma pessoa pode cair numa situação dessas embaixo de nariz de todos (ela foi apenas uma de muitas), mas a construção da biografia poderia ter sido melhor executada.
A autora nos dá uma boa noção disso. Porém, o modo como ela conta a história é muito cansativa, e foi isso que me impediu de gostar do livro.
Achei que a Kate usa a maior parte do livro para descrever todos os episódios de abuso e estupr0s. Em determinado momento fica tão repetitivo que parece que o livro não sai do lugar, que você está lendo a mesma coisa, o que além de deixar o leitor cansado, gera uma frustração também com as atitudes da autora. Na hora dos julgamentos, eu nem sabia de quem ela estava falando, os nomes se perderam. Aliás, essa parte dos julgamentos e a forma como ela vai conseguindo melhorar são muito rápidas e superficiais, e talvez esse seria o foco mais interessante. O grupo de apoio anônimo, que aparentemente teve grande importância, foi reduzido a poucos parágrafos.
Enfim, é sem dúvida um relato chocante. É muito absurdo como uma pessoa pode cair numa situação dessas embaixo de nariz de todos (ela foi apenas uma de muitas), mas a construção da biografia poderia ter sido melhor executada.
February 13, 2021
I commend the author for her strength, for her conviction and ability to not only survive the horrors she went through, but the courage it took to share those horrors with others. To let other survivors of sexual abuse know they're not alone, that they don't have to remain victims, that they can break free of the self-destructive cycle birthed by their abusers.
This was so, so hard to read on a personal level. I can't help admiring Kate, for despite my own past of various types of abuse, I'm certain I would not have survived what she went through--much less thrived after the fact.
A terrible yet wonderful book. I hope all of her abusers truly get what they deserve.
This was so, so hard to read on a personal level. I can't help admiring Kate, for despite my own past of various types of abuse, I'm certain I would not have survived what she went through--much less thrived after the fact.
A terrible yet wonderful book. I hope all of her abusers truly get what they deserve.
September 11, 2021
This book really shows you what goes through the minds of victims. It was rough reading what she went through but I loved reading how she pushed through and became a better person for herself. I realize not all victims are this lucky. She certainly explains even through all of the good and bad both mental and physical abuse there is a light. I really enjoyed reading Kate's story even though my heart broke for her over and over again.
April 17, 2022
Such a brilliant story into the background on grooming and how it can effect someone for a long time of their life. Thanks for sharing and being brave to finally speak out. Such a shame you weren't believed on a lot of occasions and helped sooner .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2018
I started this book on the 18th September. My godmother was reading her copy a few weeks ago and reccomended it too me, due to me reading Holly Archers when that one was released.
I must say this one was so gripping from the start.
The reason I didn't give it 5* is because I believe the true names and addresses/areas of where this all took place should be told out loud. I don't mean the identity of 'Kate' herself but the areas of where this all took place. That's one thing I loved about Holly's book.
Anyway, due to my own depression and Dark thoughts, I've not picked up this book since Thursday 20th Sept, but tonight I was adamant to get it finished, so that I can re-read it again in a week or two, and Anotate it, to then give my thoughts.
I've just spent 2 hours reading 8 chapters in the hope of finishing it. Ready the then re-read it. (Sounds mad I know) 😂
It's a powerful read,
It maybe a very difficult one to read to alot of people...but if you've been through the same or maybe similar ordeals as Kate has, then it may not be an issue.
But my warning is there. Kate is very graphic discussing what goes where, when how and why etc, and so if you can read that then don't pick this book up, or just skim past it...but I think everyone of the right age, should read this and many more of these books about the grooming sex rings.
It's still happening around the country today.
This is real, this happened to Kate and could possibly be happening to you or someone you know.
Please, speak up, raise the alarm, and just know if you can't speak to anyone around you then remember that the Samaritans and Child line are open 24/7
You're not alone.
As I say, everyone should read this, and if you haven't but do want to talk, Kate says alot towards the end how she's HERE for anyone who wants to talk, confide, ask advice or if you just want someone to Listen too, then to contact her.
You can find Kate on Here, Aswell as Twitter.
Speak up.
Stay safe.
And remember you're loved.
I must say this one was so gripping from the start.
The reason I didn't give it 5* is because I believe the true names and addresses/areas of where this all took place should be told out loud. I don't mean the identity of 'Kate' herself but the areas of where this all took place. That's one thing I loved about Holly's book.
Anyway, due to my own depression and Dark thoughts, I've not picked up this book since Thursday 20th Sept, but tonight I was adamant to get it finished, so that I can re-read it again in a week or two, and Anotate it, to then give my thoughts.
I've just spent 2 hours reading 8 chapters in the hope of finishing it. Ready the then re-read it. (Sounds mad I know) 😂
It's a powerful read,
It maybe a very difficult one to read to alot of people...but if you've been through the same or maybe similar ordeals as Kate has, then it may not be an issue.
But my warning is there. Kate is very graphic discussing what goes where, when how and why etc, and so if you can read that then don't pick this book up, or just skim past it...but I think everyone of the right age, should read this and many more of these books about the grooming sex rings.
It's still happening around the country today.
This is real, this happened to Kate and could possibly be happening to you or someone you know.
Please, speak up, raise the alarm, and just know if you can't speak to anyone around you then remember that the Samaritans and Child line are open 24/7
You're not alone.
As I say, everyone should read this, and if you haven't but do want to talk, Kate says alot towards the end how she's HERE for anyone who wants to talk, confide, ask advice or if you just want someone to Listen too, then to contact her.
You can find Kate on Here, Aswell as Twitter.
Speak up.
Stay safe.
And remember you're loved.
April 30, 2022
An incredibly brave + valuable account of what really happens psychologically when you are groomed. This is an important book + I hope it goes on to helps many more your people + to raise awareness.
The author is so courageous to recount her harrowing + traumatic experiences, and the aftermath.
Also, this book is an example of how victims of grooming, sexual abuse + other crimes have to suffer extremely ignorant, judgemental + hateful attitudes from other people.
I continue to be amazed how people who have no knowledge of the psychological + emotional effects of grooming, abuse and crime, have very strong vocal opinions AGAINST victims.
So called religious people who are missing an empathy chip + others who are ignorant + poorly educated about trauma, PTSD, Stockholm Syndrome (etc) or the scientific research that backs up the victim's experience and the effects of abuse (like, for example, why domestic abuse victims go back to the abuser, etc). Some people on here actually calling the author names like "Idiot" and saying "she allowed that to happen to herself over and over again."
If the author is reading this, Kate – thank you for writing this powerful book, telling your story + helping to raise awareness. Clearly, your story + your advocacy is very much needed in the world.
I'm so sorry that you went through this. I'm also sorry that any psychologically traumatised victims should still have to be confronted by uninformed + uneducated people passing judgements on behaviours that they evidently have very little understanding about!
The author is so courageous to recount her harrowing + traumatic experiences, and the aftermath.
Also, this book is an example of how victims of grooming, sexual abuse + other crimes have to suffer extremely ignorant, judgemental + hateful attitudes from other people.
I continue to be amazed how people who have no knowledge of the psychological + emotional effects of grooming, abuse and crime, have very strong vocal opinions AGAINST victims.
So called religious people who are missing an empathy chip + others who are ignorant + poorly educated about trauma, PTSD, Stockholm Syndrome (etc) or the scientific research that backs up the victim's experience and the effects of abuse (like, for example, why domestic abuse victims go back to the abuser, etc). Some people on here actually calling the author names like "Idiot" and saying "she allowed that to happen to herself over and over again."
If the author is reading this, Kate – thank you for writing this powerful book, telling your story + helping to raise awareness. Clearly, your story + your advocacy is very much needed in the world.
I'm so sorry that you went through this. I'm also sorry that any psychologically traumatised victims should still have to be confronted by uninformed + uneducated people passing judgements on behaviours that they evidently have very little understanding about!
October 1, 2020
These predators were able to ‘read’ their victims - they could find our vulnerabilities. What chance did I have, even if I was 18, against men who had years of grooming experience? - Kate elysia
In reading books about the Grooming rings, I have asked myself over and over what sort of families breed these abusers? Kate had one line in her book that gave one clue and I would have liked her to eloborate on this. (“Farouk was abused by his father, I know that much, and many Asian men told me they lost their virginity at 10 years of age”)
There is no doubt about the long term affects the abuse had on Kate’s life, and due to years of therapy, her training and on the job experience (as a mental health nurse) Kate gives insights into that damage and the psychology behind the abuse that other victims have not been able to explain.
It’s frustrating to read about her returning to the abuse over and over, and her ability to attract every loser within a 5km radius, whether they are a crim, a rapist or a drug addict. Yet it is equally as nice to read about her work ethic and kindness in her job. Kate suggested her desire for a program implemented in schools that would educate children to the signs of grooming- she should look at ways to develop this with a team of other professionals, and market it to the education department, she is in a unique position to be able to facilitate that.
In reading books about the Grooming rings, I have asked myself over and over what sort of families breed these abusers? Kate had one line in her book that gave one clue and I would have liked her to eloborate on this. (“Farouk was abused by his father, I know that much, and many Asian men told me they lost their virginity at 10 years of age”)
There is no doubt about the long term affects the abuse had on Kate’s life, and due to years of therapy, her training and on the job experience (as a mental health nurse) Kate gives insights into that damage and the psychology behind the abuse that other victims have not been able to explain.
It’s frustrating to read about her returning to the abuse over and over, and her ability to attract every loser within a 5km radius, whether they are a crim, a rapist or a drug addict. Yet it is equally as nice to read about her work ethic and kindness in her job. Kate suggested her desire for a program implemented in schools that would educate children to the signs of grooming- she should look at ways to develop this with a team of other professionals, and market it to the education department, she is in a unique position to be able to facilitate that.
April 11, 2020
I think this book was very informative about situations we don't know that happens in a daily life. From a young woman who started writing this, I think she tried her best to tell her story even though there's some absent details. I'm sure she tried her best
May 5, 2019
Great read.Certainly an eye opener to such crimes going on today.
May 28, 2021
Such a heartbreaking story! Disturbing even. I cannot believe what this girl went through. It made me think so much through the entire story. I'd give it 8/10.
October 1, 2022
Not for the faint of heart. For true crime lovers, I feel like this book is a must. I wish the author would have been more descriptive while telling her story.
October 15, 2024
The content was difficult to get through. I almost put this down, but finished to the end.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews