A woman in her 50s has bravely told how she was sexually abused by her father and his friends from when she was a toddler until she left home at the age of 16.

She was speaking at the Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (RASASC) for north Wales, which has helped her deal with the devastating trauma that’s affected her whole life.

The woman, now 52, said that her mother was present and aided and abetted the abusers.

She was among the guests at new offices of the organisation at Parc Menai in Bangor which were officially opened by north Wales police and crime commissioner Arfon Jones.

The centre provides a service across all of the six counties of north Wales and last year 600 people were referred to them for support.

The woman, whose identity we are protecting, revealed that before receiving counselling she was so depressed she used to sit in a cupboard because it was the only place she felt safe.

Tackling sexual abuse is one of the five key priorities in the commissioner’s North Wales Police and Crime Plan. He has hit out at the UK government for failing to provide centres like RASASC North Wales.

Statistics show north Wales has one of the UK’s highest number of recorded rapes over the past two years – with a major increase in historic allegations and a 38 per cent overall rise.

Among the people helped by RASASC North Wales is the woman who revealed the shocking abuse she suffered until she left home at the age of 16.

She recalled: “My father was abusing me and my mother was part of what was happening. I can’t remember a time that it wasn’t happening.

“There were other people involved. It was absolutely terrifying and painful for a child, but I think the emotional hurt and betrayal of trust is what does more damage. I needed professional help, and I came to the wonderful Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre in north Wales.

“I had counselling that meant for the first time I was able to tell someone exactly what had happened. It was like this big secret that was on my shoulders the whole time.

“It meant so much to actually have someone say to me that they believed me and that it wasn’t my fault. It had a big emotional impact on me. It took a lot of hard work and commitment, but I started to rebuild my life."

According to centre director Jane Ruthe, it is never too late to come forward to seek help.

She said: “The number of people coming forward has increased and the very fact that we have a waiting list of people waiting for counselling shows that there is a need for even more of this service."See this week's north editions for the full story, in shops and online on Thursday