‘I became his property’: Lewis Edwards’ victims speak of deep trauma

Many families expressed their heartbreak that Lewis Edwards had stolen their daughters’ innocence. Photograph: South Wales police

The victims of Lewis Edwards and their families have spoken of the deep trauma they suffered and the psychological effects of his crimes.

Some of the girls he targeted contemplated suicide or self-harmed and said they could never trust the police again. Relatives described their guilt at not spotting what was going on, feelings of failure at not being able to protect their children, and devastation that the abuser was a serving officer. Many expressed heartbreak that Edwards stole their daughters’ innocence.