Little Victim: Britain's Vulnerable Children and the Cops Who Rescue Them

by Harry Keeble

In 'Little Victim', Harry Keeble follows the trail of three of the worst cases of child abuse his department ever encountered. We learn the victims' stories backwards, from the point when Harry contacts them, right back to when the abuse started. The reader is given a police- and victim-based account of these incredible tales of survival.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, True Story

288 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2011

Reviews

[Maria Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't my usual choice of read as I mainly enjoy fantasy,sci-fi and mystery fiction, but I spotted it on my eldest son's night table and was moved by his description of some of the harrowing tales within. The fact that the situations brilliantly recounted were of real families involving young children, had me in tears. I wouldn't say I enjoyed the book because that would imply some measure of enjoyment of the incredible suffering of these innocents, but it is a book that should be read by all. It is an honest account of true-life situations, written without bias, and it has made me realise that my problems arn't worth a digital or printed word. Read this book and grab your children with a massive bear hug as I did mine.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I get the feeling Harry is a cop that cares. He works in a rough area of London, in the child protection unit. This book tells of some of the many and varied cases his unit tackles during a year and how he works closely with social services to protect the children on his beat. His job is complicated by the high number of immigrant families that brings him into touch with different cultures and practices. Additionally the area has its fair share of drug users and alcoholics that are unable to look after their own kids. The job takes patience, insight, communication skills, instinct, compassion and a sense of humour. It was an interesting read and I am glad that there are people like Harry and the others he works with to do this job, they (especially the social workers) should be better funded.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

good insight to real cases. at times there were too many references to sexual abuse cases which in my opinion was not balanced in comparison to other forms of abuse, made me think what the authors history of sexual abuse was personally. I felt there was a under tone being racially discriminatory, most cases covered were BAME and felt at time the writer was frustrated with the number of migrants in the UK. liked how chapters started and connected. gripping and leaves reader wanted to read on.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting and at times distressing book. Written some time ago so possibly some of details of how things are dealt with may have changed - although with all the cuts in funding in all areas I have a feeling things will have got worse rather than better.
Thank goodness there are people in the world that can deal with these horrific cases and help those poor children.

[Kelly Bond · Rating 5 out of 5]

THis book was very interesting and delete with the problems that both of these departments struggle and without help children can not be protected

it makde me cry and it made me angry and it also made me happy

excellent book if you are interested in this subject

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about Police procedures rather than the in-depth stories of the victims... interesting but not gripping

[Kelly Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a real eye opener, interesting to read

[Victoria Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harrowing stories, very eye opening.

[Charlotte Villette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harry Keeble works as a child protection officer, something that I would never be able to do. He takes us through one year of his work life, which involves us reading about the different child abuse cases that Harry and his fellow officers face daily in Hackney, London.
It broke my heart reading what these poor children go through with their neglectful parents, and I also felt sorry for the one woman who was trying to help the single mum's by running an illegal day care service, I think our government should be helping these sort of people who are only trying to help other people rather than prosecuting them.
I found this an interesting insight into a department which has a massive stigma around it. This book made me think very hard about my life and the problems that I normally complain about.

[Joanna Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading the book

[Antoinette Fooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. A shocking insight into the lives of some children. Social workers have a very difficult job!

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy reading true life stories some of this was harrowing but very insightful to how child protection actually works

[Bookworm86 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fab read my Harry Keeble and shocking insight into life of social services