A girl who reported her long-time sexual abuse at the hands of a NSW police officer has been abandoned by her family, called a liar and blamed for her grandfather's lung cancer.
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The girl, aged in her teens, faced her abuser in a Sydney court on Friday to detail her life of paranoia and fear stemming from years of abuse.
The senior constable, who cannot be named, was found guilty in 2020 of two aggravated sexual assaults, four indecent assaults, child grooming and child abuse material offences.
"My whole family turned their backs on me. I haven't talked to my mother in almost three years," the victim tearfully told Parramatta District Court.
"I needed my family, especially during my teen years but none of them cared."
Her grandfather had been particularly critical of her, going as far as blaming his lung cancer on the stress caused by the woman's reports.
In a 20-page message before the officer's trial, the grandfather let her know "everyone" hates her and that she would go to jail "when" the officer was found not guilty.
"My grandfather said a lot of hurtful things including that I have mental health issues and made it all up," the teenager said.
That torment compounded the fallout she endures as a result of 11 years of abuse at the hands of the officer.
She's frightened of people in power. She's scared someone is watching when she gets undressed for a shower. She's paranoid people will identify her as she builds a new life.
"It's hard to make friends and build relationships because I'm conscious that if they ever find out, I'll be judged," the teenager said.
"The damage is permanent and every time I'm happy, the dark shadow is behind me as a reminder that life will never be normal."
Judge Sophia Beckett noted one of the most significant harms was the ramifications it had on her relationships with her family, describing it as a "rather upsetting feature".
But the Crown conceded that harm couldn't be used when determining the officer's jail term as it was out of the officer's control.
The officer worked extensively with children when employed but his crimes do not relate to his employment.
He was suspended from duty upon his arrest in 2018 and sacked in July 2020.
Since being remanded in custody upon the jury's verdicts in November 2020, he has lost a significant amount of weight, the court was told on Friday.
His crimes plus his old job meant he will likely be held in the strictest area of protection for his entire jail term, his lawyer Ken Buckman said.
"He's going to effectively have a life of fear for a lengthy period of time in custody," Mr Buckman said.
"He'll be looking over his shoulder whilst in custody, that's for sure."
More than seven letters in support of the officer were tendered in his defence case, as well as a psychologist's report.
He will be sentenced on Wednesday.
Australian Associated Press
