Mary Sharp, a British woman from Cornwall, has spoken out after 30 years about the abuse she suffered at the hands of her boyfriend Martin Butler in Mevagissey in August 1988. Butler was sentenced to 11 years in prison in April 2023 following the case.
At just 20 years old, Mary was raped, tied up, and suffocated by Butler during a night out in Mevagissey. Despite the trauma, she remained silent until 2018 when social media posts from other alleged victims encouraged her to come forward.
Mary has shared how the deep shame she felt kept her quiet for decades, but seeing others bravely share their stories gave her the strength to seek justice. She reported the abuse to authorities, but the Crown Prosecution Service initially dropped her case twice due to insufficient evidence.
After an eventual review, Butler was convicted and imprisoned, marking a significant victory for Mary after years of emotional struggle. Mary now refers to fellow survivors Laura Hughes and Lauren Preston as her “soul sisters,” united by their shared experiences of abuse by Butler.
The women have waived their anonymity to inspire others to come forward and highlight the importance of reporting sexual crimes. Devon and Cornwall Police, along with Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez, praised Mary’s courage and emphasised ongoing efforts to support victims and hold perpetrators accountable.
The police force assures tailored support and thorough investigations for all sexual abuse reports, regardless of how much time has passed. Mary, now 58, credits counselling and creative outlets for her healing and encourages other survivors to overcome shame and find strength in speaking out.
Her story is featured in a Channel 4 documentary aimed at raising awareness and preventing future abuse.
Originally published by UKNIP.
