Man given a jail sentence of more than 12 years for persistent sexual abuse towards foster daughter

A foster career who ‘betrayed the position of trust’ given to him when he took in a vulnerable child has been jailed after more than six years of persistent sexual abuse.

Anonymous girl

More than six years of persistent sexual abuse towards his foster daughter has resulted in a Tasmanian man receiving a lengthy jail sentence.

The man, who cannot be named because doing so would identify his victim, was found guilty of a count of persistent sexual abuse by a jury in a unanimous verdict.

The victim, who is now 24 years old, was the foster daughter of the man and his wife between September 2008 and October 2014.

The abuse continued until the victim was 14, after she confided in a social worker about what was going on.

During sentencing, Acting Justice David Porter said that in her victim impact statement, the woman outlined how she had developed significant mental health issues as a result of the abuse.

“She feels robbed of a normal childhood development,” Acting Justice Porter said.

“She has issues with making and maintaining friends, and as a teenager, felt isolated and could not be a part of what she describes as ‘normal teenage girl talk’ about emotions for boys.

“She feels her schooling suffered and that she has been affected financially because of her limited education and her anxiety and trauma triggers.

“She also feels her life choices and control were stolen from her, with no opportunity to be a normal child or teenager.”

Acting Justice The Honourable David Porter. Ceremonial sitting for the 200 year anniversary of the Supreme Court of Tasmania. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Acting Justice Porter condemned the man for his crimes.

“There is nothing in his personal circumstances or background which has any real mitigatory value, although I accept that the nature of his offending may lead to segregation in prison and hence some adversity.

“The very significant level of gravity of this offending goes without saying. Sexual abuse of children is a matter of very high community concern.”

Acting Justice Porter also said it appeared the man did not show “any expression of remorse” and that the victim was under the age of 13 when the majority of the abuse occurred.

“You deprived the complainant of a stabilising environment and effectively deprived her of a decent late childhood and early adolescence.

“Your conduct caused long-term disabilities and difficulties. She was entitled to expect to be safe in your home and in your company.”

Acting Justice Porter said the man had “betrayed the position of trust” that was given to him by taking in a foster child and abusing her.

“The need for personal deterrence is perhaps not now a major factor, but, in any event, strong condemnation of what you did is important.

“As I have also noted, there is little that entitles you to leniency.”

The man was sentenced to 12-and-a-half years of imprisonment.