A 12-year-old girl was groomed online, raped and beaten up three times before she took her own life, her grieving mother has claimed.
Semina Halliwell, who had autism, died on June 12, 2021 after spending four nights in hospital. An inquest into her death is opening at Bootle Town Hall today. The girl’s mum, Rachel Halliwell, said Semina alleged she was raped by an older boy who attended the same school as her, after he groomed her over Snapchat into secretly meeting him.
Rachel contacted Merseyside Police after her daughter told her what had happened following an incident of self-harm. However, two family members who were present during police interviews claimed officers “made Semina feel like she was an inconvenience to them.” No charges have been brought against the alleged perpetrator, who Semina named.
Mum haunted by memory of late daughter, 12, asking doctor if she was ‘going to die’
Rachel Halliwell believes her daughter took her own life after she was groomed, raped and beaten up
(
Image:
Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Speaking to Sky News, Semina’s mother and her aunt Clare Halliwell claimed the lead detective “sat there and started talking about all the forms he’d have to fill in if she made the complaint and how long it would take him to fill those forms in.” Clare said the detective “said to Semina that, you know, basically, it’s your word against his and do you really want this hanging over your head for 18 months, because it wouldn’t go to court for 18 months to two years.”
The heartbroken mother and aunt said Semina’s autism had made it difficult for her to express herself to strangers, and claimed that the police’s response only exacerbated this. According to the family, the police force didn’t inform Semina’s school of the reported rape, which meant no safeguarding measures were put in place and the girl was forced to stay at home as she was not protected from coming into contact with the alleged perpetrator.
Rachel said Semina and her family were targeted in a campaign of bullying both online and offline. The family believes the intimidation and threats came from associates of the alleged perpetrator. Rachel told the TV channel: “They said anyone going to the police are going to go get their heads kicked in. And that’s exactly what happened. Semina was beaten up three times, videoed, her [sibling] was beaten up in school.”
Semina had autism, her mother said
(
Image:
Liverpool Echo)
Three months after the initial complaint, another interview took place in the family’s living room to discuss the rape and harassment allegations which Semina had made. But at some point, the girl said “I’ve had enough of this” and went upstairs, her mum said.
Rachel said her daughter “just had enough of the police being here, the police doing nothing” when she said that, however, Semina had gone to take the medication which would eventually kill her, as the consumed well above the lethal dose of a toxic drug which is used to treat a chronic condition, Sky News reported. Once the police left, the family found the empty medicine packets, and Semina was taken to hospital where she was placed in an induced coma. She tragically suffered multiple organ failure before she passing away.
Her mum said watching Semina died was “horrific” as “her body shut down” as she added: “No parent should go through that.” Semina’s aunt said “she went cold” and “started to go blue” as the medical team was “sobbing” around the family and “nobody could say” that she had died.
Semina’s coffin is carried out of St Patrick’s Church
(
Image:
Andrew Teebay/Liverpool Echo)
Merseyside Police didn’t comment on the claims saying the force “would not wish to prejudice the coronial investigation.” But a spokesperson added: “However, we have, and are, co-operating fully with the coroner in this matter.”
Merseyside Police has previously told the Liverpool Echo: “The matter is currently being considered by the Sefton, Knowsley, and St Helens coroner, and as such it is not appropriate for Merseyside Police to comment on any of the substantive issues raised at this time, as we would not wish to prejudice the coronial investigation. However, we have, and are, co-operating fully with the coroner in this matter.
“A formal complaint relating to the police investigation has been received and the concerns expressed are being investigated by the force’s Professional Standards Department. We have informed the Independent Office for Police Conduct and are keeping them updated.”
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.