A MOTHER whose 13-year-old daughter received sexual messages on Snapchat from a woman says more needs to be done to raise awareness of female offenders.

The grooming victim's mum, who lives in St Helens, wants to share her daughter's story and to ensure rehabilitation programmes are in place for women paedophiles.

She said: "My daughter just went to a party with my sister and all of a sudden this woman was sending her explicit messages on Snapchat.

"My sister saw it and told me. We told the police.

"I was just disgusted and didn't know how to deal with it. It's daft but I didn't expect it as much from a woman, but anyone can be an offender."

Amy Tabern, 22, from Cross Farm Road, Newton-le-Willows, pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court on May 23 to one count of sexual communication with a child.

She also admitted to another count of sexual activity with a child after meeting the victim and kissing her.

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Tabern was sentenced to a three year community order, 180 hours unpaid work and 60 days rehabilitation requirement.

The victim's mum added: "On sentencing her, the barrister even said to the judge 'how is there so many rehabilitation programs for male sex offenders and aimed at them but little to nothing in the UK for female offenders?'.

"I just felt mortified at that. How in the UK is there nothing for women offenders to have the rehabilitation all offenders need?

"I know she got a long rehabilitation requirement, I'm happy enough with the sentencing, but more needs to be done.

"My daughter has been branded a liar and made to feel terrible, surely more needs to be done.

"Any offender doesn't matter if it's a man or woman, should get the treatment needed to protect others from them.

"There needs to be more awareness."

An NSPCC spokesperson added: “No child should ever be put in a position where they feel uncomfortable, and thanks to the NSPCC’s Flaw In The Law campaign it is now illegal for adults – whether male or female – to share sexual messages, images or videos with a child.

"The victim in this case did the right thing by speaking up to a trusted adult, and her bravery should be commended.

“The NSPCC and Childline work together to deliver Speak Out Stay Safe assemblies in primary schools across the country, which have reached 3,450 children in schools around St Helens so far in this academic year alone.

"These lessons use age-appropriate language and examples to teach young children about the best way to deal with abuse or issues which they find upsetting, and our aim is to ensure all children are able to feel safe and be confident in highlighting abuse when it occurs.”