This is not about a JW . . .
But it raises a number of issues regarding child sexual abuse . . . positive and negative.
Thought I would post for discussion . . .
Abuser Says Sorry to His Daughter
DAVID CLARKSON - The Press, Christchurch 20/02/2010
A father has apologised and thanked his 13-year-old daughter for standing up to him to stop the sexual abuse he inflicted on her for four years.
"I no longer refer to him as my father," the poised teenager said as she read her victim impact statement to Christchurch District Court at the 39-year-old man's sentencing.
The Christchurch labourer was jailed for 12 years by Judge Gary MacAskill, who said the victim and her mother had "bravely read" their statements in court.
The man had admitted charges of sexually violating his daughter.
The public and other family members were excluded from the court as the girl and her mother read their victim impact statements.
"Daddies aren't supposed to do what he did to me," said the girl, telling the man she now looked forward to having "an awesome life".
He had made her feel disgusting and bad about herself.
"I still have nightmares and I am scared of being alone. I have panic attacks. He made me hit rock bottom but I am no longer there."
The man stood wiping his eyes as the girl told the court: "I want to make sure he never hurts another little girl again."
The mother said she was embarrassed and ashamed about being associated with the man, who she had known for 22 years and eventually married.
"The man I once loved and trusted is a sexual predator – a child rapist. He did not anticipate that this brave young lady would stand up to him to protect her younger siblings," she said.
She said she felt guilty because she did not realise earlier what he was doing.
Defence counsel Rupert Glover read letters from the man addressed to his daughter and to his wife.
He apologised to his daughter "for what I put you through – the secrets that you kept must always have been a nightmare for you".
He said that a similar thing had happened to him.
"I am prepared to accept your wrath for my guilt."
He thanked her for stopping the offending by standing up to him.
"I am now and always will be sorry for what I have put you through."
The letter told his wife that he realised he was the cause of all the bad things in her life for 22 years. Crown prosecutor Nicola Robson said he had offended against a vulnerable victim, within a family, over a long period, causing great harm.
Judge MacAskill said the offending arose from the man's "distorted thinking". He had seen himself as being in love with the victim, and saw her as an equal participant in the relationship.
He had no alcohol and drug issues.
Judge MacAskill said the victim and her mother wanted the man's name published, but he said that because the victim was aged under 16 and he could not be certain publication would not lead to her identification, he would make a final suppression order.