Ep 8. My Stepdad Abused Us For 12 Years - Louise Turnbull

My Stepdad Abused Us For 12 Years - Louise Turnbull is the eighth episode of the fifth season of the true crime documentary series, Britain's Darkest Taboos. The episode revolves around the harrowing story of Louise Turnbull, who reveals how her stepfather, Pete Crook, subjected her and her siblings to years of abuse and terror.

Louise, now in her mid-forties, shares her traumatic experience with the viewers, detailing the horrific abuse she faced at the hands of her stepfather. She recounts how Crook, who had been with her mother for eleven years, had sexually and physically abused Louise and her siblings for over a decade. Crook first started abusing Louise when she was just six years old, and it continued until she was eighteen. Her sister, Kelly, was also a victim of Crook's abuse, and he later went on to abuse Louise's half-sister, who was born following her mother's second marriage.

Louise painfully recounts how Crook manipulated her into thinking that the abuse was a form of love. She describes how he would tell her that he was only doing it because he loved her and that no one else would ever understand their relationship. Crook would also threaten Louise with harm to her family if she ever spoke out about the abuse.

The episode also explores the psychological impact of the abuse on Louise and her family. Louise reveals how she developed a drinking problem and struggled with self-harm and suicidal thoughts as a result of the trauma. She also talks about the fractures in her family, including her relationship with her mother, who had unknowingly allowed the abuse to continue.

With the help of her therapist and survivors' group, Louise eventually found the courage to speak out about the abuse and report Crook to the police. The episode follows the legal proceedings and the eventual incarceration of Crook, who was found guilty of multiple counts of sexual assault. Louise also opens up about her journey towards healing and finding closure.

My Stepdad Abused Us For 12 Years - Louise Turnbull is a powerful episode that sheds light on the lived experiences of survivors of sexual abuse and the long-lasting trauma that it can cause. The episode also highlights the importance of speaking out about abuse and seeking help, as well as the need to hold perpetrators accountable for their crimes.