Until our family was thrown into complete turmoil I had never heard of CROP and I knew nothing of  sexual exploitation or the consequences of it. I wish I still didn't.

Our lives have been turned upside down. We have experienced emotions that we didn't know existed and visited the darkest of places in our minds.

I often ask: ‘Why has this happened to US?’ ‘Why not someone else?’ ‘Surely it happens to OTHER people?’ Not our family, we're just normal. Or at least we used to be...

Our 15-year-old daughter became involved with an older man. We didn't approve, the circumstances weren't right. It wasn't a NORMAL relationship. Something felt VERY wrong but we couldn't pinpoint what at first.

Why would he shower her with gifts, and then threaten to kill himself? Why should he keep supplying her with secret mobile phones? What could he achieve by threatening her friends?

I'm sure she thought we just didn't like him. But even now we have still never met him. He used to phone 999 on a regular basis, reporting us for everything: bullying, harassment, assault and even child abuse... He also made official complaints against dozens of police officers.

Since the fateful day when our daughter disappeared we have learnt so much. We have stepped into a different world.

Some of what we have learnt has scared us to death, some things have left us plain angry. Each time something bad happens, CROP is there to reassure us, CROP keeps telling us it's normal, whatever ‘normal’ is in our lives these days.

We've been really lucky in some respects. The police officers handling our case have been great. They have shown both compassion and professionalism. They have strived to get a conviction, despite the red tape restricting them. Sadly, each time a case has been submitted, the CPS has turned it down due to lack of hard evidence.

The sad reality is that criminals are protected in today's society. They are getting away with the most horrendous crimes. How do they slip through the net, time and time again?

I love my daughter dearly although we haven't seen her for nearly eight months. I love the caring, gentle girl she once was. The kind and compassionate girl I was so proud of.

Will I ever see my daughter again? Who knows? Perhaps one day she will be free to think for herself again.