Selfie queen and Labour councillor Karen Danczuk: 'I was raped aged six by a family friend'

The MP's wife and selfie-loving Labour councillor Karen Danczuk said she found strength to tell her story after years of therapy.

17:33 16 February 2015

Selfie-loving Labour councillor Karen Danczuk has revealed that she was raped by a family friend when she was just six years old. She said: “I was raped and abused by a paedophile for years and years.”

She described her attacker as “someone who would be around a lot.”

She said: “I was scared of him, it was easier to do what he said. I had no option. Who could I tell? After a few months it became full-blown rape and that went on for years.

“I’d try to blank it out. I had a very unhappy childhood. I wouldn’t wish that on anybody.”

She continued: “I was on anti-depressants for years and wanted to kill myself. I used to cover my body, wear head-to-toe black clothes so I didn’t draw attention to myself, I was so self-conscious. I now know I didn’t do anything wrong. Finally I realised it isn’t my fault.

Queen of the Selfie Karen
Danczuk in pictures
Click through this gallery
of the councillor's photos.

“I can have fun without being ashamed of myself. And that is why I take pictures and put them on Twitter – because I can. I’m now free to do whatever I want.”

Karen suffered from emotional trauma and even attempted suicide. However, her life turned around when she met and fell in love with husband Simon in 2007.

Known for posting busty selfies on social media, Karen was previously attacked for being a bad role model for young girls.

He responded by saying: “They have no idea what my past is, and what the girls went through. They have no idea.

“I don’t mind someone having a go at me, but don’t blame child sex abuse on me because I happen to occasionally wear a low-cut top.”