A DISTRAUGHT Southend mum has revealed her 11-year-daughter's picture was edited onto vile sexual images as part of a horrific online bullying campaign.
The shocking images, shared on instant messaging app Snapchat, depicted a series of sexually explicit images and have left the victim's mum furious.
Essex Police confirmed it has received the report and is launching an investigation.
The mum, who the Echo will be keeping anonymous to protect her daughter's identity, claimed her daughter had been the victim of bullying in the past but the creation of the explicit images is a new development.
“She’s a very shy girl and was too embarrassed to say what was on her phone but passed it to me and ran away. They are the most disgusting, vile images," she said.
“I’m fuming, but more than anything I’m so upset that she’s starting a new school, and we thought the bullying was behind her. She was meant to be having a fresh start.”
According to the mother, the images of her daughter’s face had been lifted from the girl’s TikTok account before being doctored onto the explicit photographs.
She also claimed that many of the comments from group members attack her daughter’s weight and physical appearance.
“Kids have bullied her for the last year, but this sexually explicit stuff is brand new” the mum added.
Describing the impact on her child, she said: “She suffers with anxiety already, and is really shy. Psychologically, this has affected her massively.”
“It’s literally torn my heart out.” she added.
While the group chat has been reported to Essex Police and the girl’s school, the parent of another child who also appeared in the edited images has taken to Facebook to alert other parents whose children may have been added to the group.
A spokesperson for Essex Police has said: “Essex Police are investigating after an allegation of sharing or threatening to share an intimate photograph or film to cause alarm, distress or humiliation was reported yesterday evening.”
“Our enquiries are ongoing.”
Anyone with for information should call Essex Police on 101.
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