AN Ipswich woman is hoping to inform others of the effects of sexual abuse after getting a book on the painful subject published.

AN Ipswich woman is hoping to inform others of the effects of sexual abuse after getting a book on the painful subject published.

Maria La-Bella, 40, of Snowdon Road, Ipswich, has penned “The Life I Survived” in a bid to help other people who have endured similar experiences.

Her father Franco was jailed for ten years in 1995 after being convicted of abusing her for more than two decades.

He served a total of eight years before being deported back to his native Sicily on his release.

Ms La-Bella said she hopes her harrowing tale will provide an insight into the effects of sexual and physical abuse.

“It's an autobiography about sexual, physical and mental abuse at the hands of my real father over a 21-year-period,” she said.

“I was 26 the last time he raped me.

“I just wanted to help other people.

“I used to run a self-support group for other victims of sexual abuse.

“The book covers everything quite graphically.

“Hopefully it can make people who haven't been through it understand what we have been through.

“People who are going through it or have been through it can relate to it better.”

The book is available at Amazon, authorhouse.com, Quartermelon and the Book Depository.

It is due to be stocked in shops in the next month.

Have you written a book to help others? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk