Victim of years of abuse speaks out after stepfather's sentencing

THE brave 24-year-old woman, whose stepfather was sentenced to life imprisonment plus an additional 40 years for sexually abusing for almost 20 years, has described in harrowing detail how his actions have profoundly impacted her life.

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

Yesterday, the Cape Argus published a shocking court case at the Mitchells Plain Regional Court where a 43-year-old man was sentenced to life behind bars for the rape, indecent assault and sexual assault of his stepdaughter since the age of seven.

Damning evidence sealed the man's fate including the harrowing testimony of the woman despite his claims that they were in a “consensual sexual relationship” since she was 19 years old and even convinced his family and mother of this.

The victim said she has been scarred for life and suffered from trauma and anxiety, in her victim impact statement which was shared with the media by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).