A woman has told the man who sexually abused her when she was 11 his offending has affected her so greatly she will continue to "cry until there are no tears left".
"At the time I didn’t know anything about sex or assault. At the time I knew it felt wrong — he persuaded me that it felt right. He was a trusting adult that told me it was right," she said as Paulo Dias was sentenced in the Christchurch District Court last week.
"I feel like a part of me was taken away. I don’t feel safe any more. I don’t trust people the way I used to. Sometimes I feel angry."
"I built a wall around my life. I feel I have been stripped of my safety. I lost self-motivation. He made me so confused — he turned it all around to make it all my problem."
Dias, who was known to the victim, abused her on two occasions several years ago, but continues to deny his offending, despite being found guilty by a jury.
The victim’s stepmother addressed the 59-year-old, telling him her stepdaughter had at times lost the will to live.
"She has shown maturity and bravery through the years; we wish this is something she never had to endure.
"There is no question that imprisonment is a price to pay for the damage you have caused to an innocent child and her family."
The girl said she felt uncomfortable the first time Dias abused her, but he "kept reassuring me that it was all right, that it was the right thing to do and that it was our secret".
On the second occasion, she told him to stop, but he ignored her.
The victim realised what happened was wrong when she attended a Keeping Ourselves Safe seminar at school.
Judge Michael Crosbie said the victim confronted Dias after the seminar, but he laughed at her.
The judge said Dias was found guilty in March by a jury of two charges of unlawful sexual connection. It was the second jury trial Dias had faced, the victim and her family attending and giving evidence on both occasions, after the jury at the first one were unable to agree and verdicts were not returned.
The judge acknowledged the victim’s bravery in coming forward.
"In no small way you will encourage others to come forward. I know the justice system is far from perfect, we have tried to make it easier over the years," he said.
Judge Crosbie sentenced Dias to four years and six months’ jail.
Dias was also placed on the Child Sex Offenders Register as part of his sentencing.
Where to get help
In an emergency, call police 111
Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
Victim Support 0800 842-846
Rape Crisis 0800 883-300
Safe to talk 0800 044-334
By Al Williams
