THE family of a woman at the heart of sex abuse allegations has appealed to the public to share any information of grooming in Barrow.

The call comes after a woman shared a post on social media alleging she had been subjected to serious sexual assaults by a gang of Asian men.

Since the harrowing post, numerous stories have been shared by other people claiming they have also been targeted.

It also sparked thousands of abusive tweets, emails and Facebook messages to The Mail as well as a visit from English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson.

Police said no new victims of an alleged grooming gang had come forward and they were not investigating any new claims.

But a senior detective backed the family’s call for people to come forward.

“This is a message to anyone in Barrow (or the surrounding area) that has any information or experience being out of the norm to come forward,” said the family member.

“You can remain anonymous.

“But, if you don’t and you truly have had these experiences then please, now is the time to come forward and speak up.

“Please will you come together once more and give everyone proof that this is happening.”

Police said a year long investigation had found ‘no evidence’ of a gang of men exploiting young women in Barrow.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dean Holden, head of crime and safeguarding at Cumbria Police, said the investigation had also been subjected to an independent peer review, which found no major faults in Cumbria Police’s handling of the investigation.

“We continue to encourage people to come forward if they know of, or have been a victim of sexual abuse.

“They cant either come to us directly, or through social care, as there a lot of mechanisms for referral to ourselves.”

The viral social media post, published by the young woman depicting horrific injuries including bruises, scratches and burn marks, was shared thousands of times, leading to a groundswell of support.

Her post caused an outpouring of anger and prompted a number of celebrities to take to social media to back a campaign for a full scale investigation into allegations of organised child sex abuse in Barrow.

A petition, addressed to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and the National Crime Agency, has now been backed by more than 15,000 supporters.

Former Coronation Street star Lucy Fallon, known for playing Bethany Platt, a character who was a victim of a groomer and sex ring, has spoken out on Twitter.

Holly Hagan, from the MTV series Geordie Shore, also voiced her support on Twitter.

A woman, 19, has been arrested and charged with seven counts of perverting the course of justice and has appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates Court.

A 30-year-old man, from Barrow, has also been arrested on suspicion of threats to kill following an incident in the early hours of May 20.

The incident is believed to be in connection with a Barrow takeaway.

A police spokesman said enquiries continue into this investigation which follows a report of a local man receiving threats via a phone call.

If anyone has information related to sexual grooming, they should contact 101 or 101emails@cumbria.police.uk.

The Birchall Trust in Hartington Street is offering support for those affected by sexual abuse.

They can be contacted on 01229 820828 or email enquiries@birchalltrust.org.uk.

Equally, information and support for anyone affected by sexual abuse (current or historic) can contact Childline on  0800 1111, The National Association for People Abused in Childhood on 0808 801 0331, the Samaritans on 116 123 or the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000.