Jeremy Forrest's victim will be more damaged by his abuse than she thinks

Gemma Grant is still reluctant to realise the full extent of her teacher’s crimes. She doesn’t regret their relationship, but describes it as a ‘dangerous infatuation’

Teacher Jeremy Forrest was jailed for five and a half years for embarkng on a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old former pupil (PA)

The act of grooming an underage child for sex is subtle and insidious. Years later some victims still blame themselves for what happened, seemingly unable to process the fact that an older person with more experience took advantage of their naivety. They were told they were special, and they believed it.

Teachers owe it to parents not to abuse their positions, no matter how tempted they may be. The personal story of Gemma Grant (not her real name), told this week, reveals how damaging a relationship between an impressionable young girl and an older man can be.

Five years ago, Gemma ran away to France with Jeremy Forrest, a 30-year-old married man and her school teacher. They had become close on a school trip when she was just 14 and started messaging each other secretly. Eventually, she spent every day of her summer holidays at his home. They had sex a few days after her 15th birthday and, fearing their affair would be found out, fled to France.

After eight days, Forrest was arrested in Bordeaux. When he was found guilty of sex with a minor and abduction of a child, Gemma was distraught and broke down in court. She moved out of the family home at 16, although she’s now reconciled with her mother.

Five years later, Gemma seems pleased that, following his release, Forrest is happy with another girlfriend. She is still reluctant to realise the full extent of his crimes; she doesn’t regret their relationship, but describes it as a “dangerous infatuation”.

A man of 30 who kisses a 15-year-old girl, having spent months talking intimately to her, then takes her virginity is a paedophile, pure and simple. Over a prolonged period he groomed her into thinking his behaviour was normal, keeping it secret so it seemed exciting.

Gemma has likely been far more damaged by their relationship than she admits.