U.K. Rape, Incest Suspect Eluded Charges for 35 Years

Professor Pat Cantrill, author of the independent report, said that action should have been taken to rescue the women at least a decade earlier once a “substantial picture” of the abuses had been drawn up.

She said a culture of “having a quiet word” had contributed to the failure to intervene, despite seven allegations of incest from members of the family.

Public sector agencies in Sheffield and Lincolnshire today issued an unreserved apology to the women, now adults, for failing to protect them from their father.

"We are genuinely sorry," said Chris Cook, independent chair of Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Board. "We should have protected you."

The 57-year-old man, who cannot be identified to protect his children, received 25 life sentences after his daughters told social workers of their lifelong ordeal in 2008.

Cantrill's review of the case, published Wednesday, disclosed that more than 100 care professionals from 28 agencies were involved with the family in Sheffield and Lincolnshire over a 35-year period from 1973 to 2008.

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