This work tells the true story of Donna Ford, who between the ages of five and eleven was abused by her step mother Helen. Labelled 'the bastard', the 'little witch' and 'the evil one'; beaten , isolated and afraid to even look at her own reflection, this beautiful little child was told she was lucky to be the victim of abuse - abuse which began as physical and mental, but progressed to the most appalling sexual attacks. Despite an horrendous early life, Donna is now a successful artist and mother of three with an enormous enthusiasm and an optimism which completely belies her experiences. In 2003, Donna watched as her step mother was found guilty of 'procuring a minor' for sexual abuse and sentenced to two years in prison. Beautifully written and savagely honest, The Step Child is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit.