Charity Worker's Betrayal: Child Victim Details Passed to Rapist in Prison
In a shocking breach of trust, a charity worker employed to support victims of sexual violence unlawfully obtained and shared sensitive personal information about a child sexual assault victim with her rapist boyfriend in prison. Lauren Leese, 30, who worked as an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor at the former Stoke-on-Trent-based charity Savana, passed the confidential details to Shane Davis, a prisoner serving a 17-year sentence for rape at HMP Dovegate.
Months of Unlawful Information Sharing
For six months in 2024, Leese systematically accessed and transmitted the child victim's sensitive information to Davis, who then used that privileged information to threaten and intimidate a fellow prisoner. The court heard how Davis leveraged this confidential data to exert power and control within the prison environment, compounding the original harm done to victims.
Both Leese, of Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent, and Davis, 36, of Stone, Staffordshire, pleaded guilty to unauthorised accessing of computer material at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Monday. Davis received an additional 12-month sentence to be served concurrently with his existing 17-year term, while Leese was given a 12-month sentence suspended for 18 months.
Position of Trust Utterly Betrayed
Detective Inspector Lewis Haigh of Staffordshire Police expressed profound disappointment in Leese's actions, stating: 'Lauren Leese held a position of trust and responsibility with Savana, which she betrayed, letting down the victims she supported, her colleagues and the public.'
Haigh elaborated: 'She was only supposed to access sensitive and confidential information when necessary to support and advocate for victims of serious crime. Instead she passed information to Davis, who was on remand awaiting trial after being charged with rape offences, and with whom she sustained a relationship whilst he was in prison.'
Davis's Violent History and Current Offences
Davis, a former Network Rail worker, was convicted last year of two counts of rape and three sexual assaults committed between 2018 and 2023. Police described how he made forceful advances on his victims and pressured them into sexual acts against their will. As part of his sentencing for these sex offences, he received:
- An indefinite restraining order against the survivors
- Placement on the Sex Offender's Register for life
- A Sexual Harm Prevention Order
When jailing Davis for the sex offences in September last year, Judge Sally Hancox remarked that he displayed a 'selfish and self-centred attitude towards women' and was 'clearly an intelligent man who worked diligently within his chosen field for Network Rail.'
Profound Impact on Victims
Victim impact statements read to the court revealed the devastating consequences of Davis's actions. Each survivor spoke of traumatic memories and ongoing deep distress, alongside significant emotional and psychological harm caused by his crimes.
Judge Hancox emphasized: 'It has had a shattering effect on each of them. There has been a profound impact and harm upon your victims.'
Charity Forced to Close Amid Funding Crisis
Savana, the charity where Leese worked, was forced to close last year after operating for nearly four decades. The organization, which provided crucial counselling and support to people affected by sexual violence and abuse, announced what CEO Sophia Baker described as a 'heartbreaking' closure due to persistent funding shortages.
Baker told the BBC that securing financial support had become increasingly difficult in recent years. The closure resulted in approximately 25 staff redundancies, with only six employees transferred to other organizations to continue offering limited services. Savana's independent sexual violence advisor service, which Leese represented, specifically helped victims navigate the complex criminal justice process.
This case highlights not only a grievous breach of professional ethics and legal boundaries but also the vulnerable position of charitable organizations dedicated to supporting trauma survivors in an increasingly challenging funding landscape.
