A woman who was sexually abused by her cheerleading coach felt authorities "didn't take the claims seriously" when it was first reported – because it involved "female on female" abuse."

Nia Durant, 27, was only 13 years old when 'predatory' coach, Rosanna Awan, 34, began preying on the teen during her cheer practice in 2010.

While offering Nia a lift home, Awan pulled over to "discuss cheerleading" before inappropriately touching her over her clothes."

Nia said she was told to "keep it a secret" - otherwise the other students would get "jealous" of her "special" treatment."

The abuse escalated when the team took a trip to France in 2012, when Awan sexually abused Nia while staying in a room together.

Paedophile Awan often booked them hotel rooms to share while travelling for competitions and they sometimes shared a bed.

Back in the UK, Awan would invite Nia to her home, or take her to her relative's houses, where the abuse continued.

Nia's parents reported Awan to the police in 2013 for "sexual abuse" but Nia claimed she was "too scared" to admit what was happening to police."

Awan admitted "kissing" Nia and was issued with a "conditional caution" - but Nia feels it was "too easily dismissed" due to the "female on female" nature of the abuse."

It wasn't until Nia left for university to study an educational degree, that she began to understand how Awan had "abused her position" while teaching."

But she bravely persisted with authorities and after battling for years to get it to court, Rosanna Awan stood trial at Leicester Crown Court in October 2024.

Awan was found guilty of four counts of sexual abuse with a child and one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

She was handed a 10-year prison sentence and restraining order banning her from contacting Nia.

Nia has bravely waived her right to anonymity to "shine a light" on female on female abuse and hopes she can help others speak out and get justice."

Nia, a gymnastics coach, from Leicester, East Midlands, said: "I really want to highlight the sexual abuse and grooming that takes place in sport."

"Especially when it's female on female abuse - which I feel is taken less seriously."

"I think if it was male abuse, things would have been different from the get go."

Nia had always enjoy sports and gymnastics when she signed up to a local cheerleading team in 2010, aged 13.

After a few weeks, her coach, Awan, who was in her 20s at the time, asked Nia if wanted help her coach some of the younger students.

She said: "She'd ask me to come early and stay late to help plan sessions."

"Looking back, that was her gateway into getting to know me."

"It all felt very planned."

"She told my parents about it, and it all seemed very innocent to start with."

Awan began offering Nia lifts home after practice - which Nia attended three or four times a week.

At first, they would pull over to discuss cheer practice during the journey, until things suddenly escalated.

Nia said: "She started touching me over my clothes."

"I was very naïve and didn't know about any of that stuff."

"I was really confused about it to start with, but at the same time, she kept reassuring me it was all 'normal'."

This continued for a couple of months until it "progressed" and Awan began to sexually abuse her under her clothes, too."

The abuse continued when the cheerleading team travelled for competitions and Awan would book them a hotel room together.

Nia said: "She would give the hotel a fake name for me, so no one knew I was staying with her, and then we would share a bed."

"I kept quiet about because she told me the others would be 'jealous' of me."

"I was getting favouritism and it made me feel special."

"She also made it out like I would be the one who would get in trouble if anyone found out."

Over the next few years, Nia became increasingly isolated from friends and family.

She struggled with her mental health and didn't know who to turn to about the abuse.

"Because I coached for her, I didn't want to jeopardise my job, either," she said."

"I made a new friend at cheerleading and coach wasn't happy about it."

"I was searching for reasons why I couldn't have friends and I didn't understand."

"I started to realise you don't hide your relationships and this is wrong."

In 2013, Nia's parents grew concerned and contacted police to report Awan, after finding a diary Nia had written about the abuse.

However, Nia was "too scared" to tell the truth, and insisted "nothing happened", and the case wasn't pursued."

According the Leicestershire Police, Awan did admit to "kissing" Nia, and was given a "conditional caution"."

In 2017, Nia got into De Montfort University in her hometown, Leicester, and began studying for an education degree.

While learning about safeguarding, she said the pieces "fell into place" and she understood that she had been abused."

In 2018, Nia told the police she wanted to "reopen" the original report made in 2013, and she spoke with an officer April 2019. "

Awan was arrested a month later, and charged in February 2020 with five counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

She said: "I felt like it wasn't taken seriously to begin with due the female on female nature."

"One officer even suggested that her actions were 'motherly' and 'being a good coach', rather than abuse."

"But I can't fault the female officer who helped me. "

"She saw the severity of it and it was the first time I finally felt heard and listened to."

Awan pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The case eventually went to Leicester Crown Court in October 2024 where she was found guilty of four counts of sexual abuse with a child and one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

She was found not guilty on one count of sexual activity with a child.

She was sentenced at the same court to 10 years in prison in December 2024, and also made the subject of a 10-year restraining order and a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

She will be a registered sex offender for life.

Nia said: "I was really thankful for the guilty verdict."

"It confirmed everything - it wasn't all my head."

"I read out an impact statement and didn't use a screen - I wanted her to see me."

"I got the final say."

"The sentencing was a big win and I felt validated."

"But it's now taking its toll and I still feel a lot of guilt - even though I shouldn't."

"I do think there's not enough support for victims because the court process is awful."

"It's scary to put myself out there, but I hope this can help just one other person feel heard."

When approached for a comment, a spokesperson for Leicestershire Constabulary said: "In 2013, the complainant's parents made a report of sexual abuse to the police on her behalf."

"When an investigation began, the complainant told police nothing had happened between herself and Awan."

"It was later established that the complainant told police nothing had happened as she had been put under pressure by Awan."

"Awan did admit kissing the complainant and was issued with a conditional caution."

"In August 2018, the complainant told police she wanted the report that was made in 2013 to be reopened."

"The complainant contacted police again in January 2019, asking for the investigation to be reopened but did not provide further information which was requested."

"Further evidence was provided during the investigation when it was reallocated in January 2019."

"The force understands the victim was frustrated by the fact the case was adjourned on several occasions due to lack of court space."

"However, both the officer in the case and her supervisor maintained a positive relationship with the victim in the case and have been thanked by her for their efforts in ensuring Awan was convicted of her crimes."

When asked about the terms Nia claimed were used to describe Awan's actions, including "motherly" and "being a good coach", a spokesperson for Leicestershire Police said: "The force does not have any record of the officer using those terms to describe Awan's behaviour."