After securing the services of Custom PR Ltd, Barbara Naughton's harrowing story has been told far and wide. As a child she suffered abuse by her father for many years.

A high profile court case saw her father jailed for 11 years. Barbara has since published a book Without Hope. Ebury Press and Amazon.

Press coverage. More, Bella, Closer, Now, Love It., Mirror, News of the World, Sun, Daily Mail. TV appearances, RTE Ireland, Trisha and This Morning.

Without Hope is a powerful and inspiring true story of a girl who finally found the inner strength to escape her brutal childhood.  

Barbara's father was a sadistic man at the best of times – his idea of fun was to kill the family dog by tying it to the back of his car and driving off. Also for kicks, he took his children out on to the lake and held them under until they were gasping for their lives.

He sexually assaulted Barbara from a young age, often when the rest of the family were in the house. He repeatedly threatened to kill her, and made two very serious attempts. During the final attempt, when she was 18, as he was raping and choking her Barbara made a vow – if she survived, she would come forward and get justice against her father.

Recovering from the attack in hospital Barbara told the nurses what her father had done and Social Services were called. Her mother threw her father out of the house but her brothers found it hard to accept Barbara's version of events. After three months of further harassment she finally decided to press charges against her father.  In 2002 he was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment and placed on the register of sex offenders.

About the author

Barbara Naughton is 31 years old and lives in Dublin where she is pursuing a career in music. She is keen on meditation and yoga which have both helped her to deal with her past. 

Barbara wrote this book herself, originally self-publishing it. She dedicates it to the rape crisis centre that helped her, as well as to other victims of abuse, and hopes it will encourage others to stand up to their abusers.