The Devil on the Doorstep: My Escape From a Satanic Sex Cult

Annabelle Forest

Aug 2014 · Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

Annabelle Forest was just seven years old when she was inducted into a twisted sex cult by her own mother. For the next few years she was brainwashed by the cult's leader, Colin Batley, who ran a harem of followers from his unassuming cul-de-sac in Kidwelly, Wales.

Batley ruled the cult with an iron will, his twisted ideology based on Aleister Crowley's Book of the Law, which informed their day-to-day lives. From the age of 11, Annabelle was repeatedly raped by Batley, and threatened with going to hell if she angered 'the gods' by refusing Batley's sick demands. Annabelle's mother joined in the sessions and even filmed them.

Annabelle lived a double life - a schoolgirl by day, a sex slave at night. It might have endured for years had she not fallen pregnant at 17 with Batley's baby. In February 2008 she gave birth to a daughter, Emily, who gave Annabelle a reason to live and hope. Now she knew she had to escape, especially after Batley forced her into prostitution when Emily was three months old.

She contacted relatives through Facebook on a computer in the public library and found the courage to report Batley, her mother and the other cult members to the police. In 2011 her evidence helped convict 48-year-old Batley for life on 11 charges of rape and numerous other sexual offences.Annabelle's mother was also jailed, along with two others in a case that came to be known as the 'cul-de-sac cult'.

But Annabelle's story was far from over - she had to adjust to a new life away from the rules and rituals of the cult. Today she lives a happy and settled life with Emily and her partner but the nightmares of her damaged past will haunt her forever. Child of Couragerefers to Annabelle herself but also her daughter, the child who gave her the chance to hope, the will to fight and the courage to live again.

Ratings and reviews

What a powerful read shocking how people actually go through this... Its so terrible... Brave lady for speaking out being brave enough to put a stop to it... This woman deserves all the happiness in the world 🌎 for her and her children ❤️ worth all 5 stars but quite disturbing at times for people who don't like reading about detailed abuse... The story needed to be told though and was written perfectly 👌 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🤗👍

I cried through the majority of this book, even tears of joy at the end when she found true love and happiness. A truly inspirational woman with a tower of strength powered by the love for her wonderful daughter. A role model for any parent out there. A very difficult but definitely a must read ☆☆☆☆☆

The book is very honest and confronting ,I didn't like what occurred but it is a problem today's society is facing constantly until the government has enough and deals with these type of offences properly. Peodofiles need chemical castration and branding

About the author

Annabelle Forest is the pseudonym of the young woman who helped convict cult leader Colin Batley, who had raped and abused her. For legal reasons her true identity cannot be revealed Katy Weitz in an experienced writer of inspirational memoir.