BREAKING: A courageous woman has come forward after decades of silence, revealing the traumatic sexual abuse she endured at the hands of her step-father. In a powerful statement during a sentencing hearing on October 2023 at the District Court in Dubbo, Australia, she recounted the emotional and physical toll of her silence, stating, “It has been mentally, emotionally and physically draining.”
The woman, now in her 30s, described how nearly 30 years of repression impacted her life. “He took my childhood away… I was made to just sweep it under the rug,” she explained, as the courtroom listened in rapt attention. Her step-father, aged 62, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted of multiple sexual offences against young girls in his family, spanning an alarming 27 years.
The charges against him included sexual touching of minors and sexual intercourse with children aged between 10 and 16. The abuse began in the 1990s when the woman was just a child. She recounted a harrowing incident in a shearing shed, where she pleaded for him to stop, only to be met with silence. “Even now, as an adult, I cannot look at the big blue sky without thinking of that day in the wool shed,” she shared, highlighting the enduring impact of her trauma.
The revelations came to light following the abuse allegations made by the man’s granddaughters. One victim, who was just 10 years old when she was assaulted, expressed her confusion and fear, saying, “When this happened to me, I was really scared and I didn’t know why pop would do this to me.” Another granddaughter, only 6 years old at the time, shared her struggles with nightmares and trust issues, stating, “I don’t trust people easily… I’m scared to leave the house alone.”
In a significant moment, District Court Judge Troy Anderson condemned the step-father’s actions as a “startling” breach of trust, emphasizing the severe impact on the vulnerable victims. The judge reflected on the emotional testimonies, noting the profound effects on their lives. The step-father was sentenced to an aggregate prison term of 12 years, with a non-parole period of 7 years and 9 months, making him eligible for release on February 28, 2033.
The woman’s decision to finally speak out has sparked discussions about the long-lasting effects of sexual abuse and the importance of breaking the silence. She reported the abuse to authorities on August 29, 2022, just two days after her step-father’s arrest for the assaults against his granddaughters. Her brave testimony is a reminder of the challenges many survivors face in coming forward and the urgent need for societal change regarding the handling of such cases.
As the community grapples with this shocking case, the survivors’ voices are being amplified, shedding light on the critical issue of abuse and the importance of support for victims. Their stories are a clarion call for others to find their voice and seek justice, emphasizing that it is never too late to speak up.
