Sacked cop Martin Duku’s sexual assault victim tells court of abuse fallout

A serving police officer who was sexually assaulted by a colleague has told her abuser why his abuse caused so much harm.

A serving police officer who was sexually assaulted by a colleague is reminded every day of the abuse she suffered when she puts on a uniform, a court has heard.

Martin Duku, 32, from Pooraka was found guilty following a trial before a magistrate of three counts of indecent assault towards two female victims.

He was a serving police officer at the time of the assaults and was based out of Port Augusta. He has since been fired.

On Friday, one of Duku’s victims, who remains a police officer laid bare the suffering she has experience in the aftermath of the attack.

“You’ve made my life a living hell because of what you did to me, it will never be the same because of you sexually assaulting me,” she told Magistrate John Wells.

“Sadly I will carry this with me for the rest of my life.

“This should never have happened, I should never have had to be here, but most of all a serving police officer should never have sexually assaulted me.”

Martin Duku while he was at the police Academy in 2018.

The victim said that while she remained a police officer, her career had suffered along with her confidence and sense of safety.

“Work has been difficult, the uniform is a constant reminder of what happened to me,” she said.

“What happened made me suppress my emotions and I continue to question my career.

“I hope one day I might be able to support people going through this process.”

In his written verdict released to The Advertiser, Mr Wells said the victim had “grudgingly” allowed Duku to sleep on her couch while he was drunk.

But Duku had followed her to the bedroom and assaulted her.

In a traumatic event which lasted several minutes Duku tried to force the young woman into having sex with him before he eventually left.

Former police officer Martin Duku outside the Adelaide Magistrates Court. Picture: Mitch Mott

The court heard on Friday that the victim had not reported the incident for two weeks because of a work placement, but had struggled.

“Looking back I am amazed I survived,” she said.

Duku was also found guilty of indecently assaulting another woman while he was under the influence of alcohol.

After the victim impact statement had been read to the court Mr Wells explained how the sentencing process worked but told the victim her statement would be taken into account.

“One thing I can tell you is that your voice has been heard today,” he said.

Duku will be back before the court next month for further sentencing submissions.

Originally published as Sacked cop Martin Duku’s sexual assault victim tells court of abuse fallout