A Bradford group helping the 'forgotten victims' of sex abuse - the children's mothers - has expanded after a Lottery grant of nearly £200,000.

Mosaic (Mothers of Sexually Abused In Control) began life as a project run by the NSPCC children's charity but has grown and it is run independently.

Co-ordinator Linda Colclough, who founded the support group in 1996, has seen it go from strength to strength. It is now based at Bradford Resource Centre, in Little Germany, and at a relaunch event organisers announced that due to a major Lottery grant of £196,000 over three years, they would be expanding throughout West Yorkshire.

A new support group is being set up in Keighley, with others at Mirfield and Wakefield, meaning they can help more mothers who they regard as the 'forgotten victims' of child abuse. "Due to the demand for our service, we are working together with services in various parts of West Yorkshire to enable us to support mothers as they struggle to deal with the stigma of abuse in their family," said Mrs Colclough. "Having someone there, who understands, can be a major support in times of crisis."

Mosaic offers support in the form of a telephone helpline, a weekly self-help group, a befriending service and one-to-one counselling.

Issues frequently raised by mothers whose children have suffered abuse are "Why my child?", "I should have known", "I'm to blame" and "It's different for me because I love him."

Support groups take place on Wednesday afternoons, 1pm to 2.30pm, at Bradford Resource Centre, with others at Low Fold Family Centre in Keighley and Northorpe Hall, Mirfield. For more details ring (01274) 308018.

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