Trigger warning: This post deals with child sexual abuse and may be distressing for some readers.
She was a 22-year-old single mother.
He was just a 13-year-old boy.
But the Victorian County Court has heard she repeatedly had sex with the boy – and he fathered three of her children.
The woman allegedly began having a sexual relationship with the young boy – barely a teenager – in August, 2004. The court heard that he detailed sexual encounters in his diary.
The woman gave him “all the cool stuff” he wanted, including drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, parties and freedom during their relationship.
They met while she was living next door to him and his family in Melbourne.
The family of the boy and the Department of Human Services tried to stop the relationship on several occasions but both denied it was taking place.
Prosecutor Francesca Holmes told the Victorian County Court that the boy became a father at 15, and again at 16 and 18. He then moved in with the pregnant woman when he was 14. The woman is now in her 30s.
The Herald Sun reports that defence barrister Barnaby Johnston argued the boy reported his client in 2011 in the context of a custody battle and intervention order she obtained.
The court heard that the woman, who is now a mother of six, probably “operated at the level of a teenager and was less morally culpable for the crime”.
From The Herald Sun:
“Forensic psychologist Pamela Matthews told the court the woman’s level of cognitive functioning was comparable to that of a six- to eight-year-old, and she gravitated towards those of similar functioning.”
The woman is now in a relationship with another man and part of her defence is that it would cause hardship were she to be jailed, because her partner, father of two of her children, worked full-time and one child had a mild disability.
She has pleaded guilty to maintaining a sexual relationship with a child under the age of 16.
However, the prosecutor said, “The serious but opportunistic crime warranted immediate jail, though a partially suspended term would be appropriate.”
“The significant age gap, the persistent cover-up and the woman’s insistence the teen not wear a condom were aggravating factors,” she said.
“The victim became a father without much say in it — if any — and will bear that burden for the rest of his life,” Ms Holmes said.
The woman remains unnamed due to a hate page set up by the victim on Facebook, which was filled with threats towards the woman, including “die bitch die” and “should be shot on sight”.
The woman will be registered as a sex offender for life.
Judge Chris O’Neill will sentence her on Friday.
If you believe a child may be being abused, report your concerns immediately to the appropriate person in your own organisation and the Child Protection Service. If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, you can get advice from The Child Abuse Prevention hotline on: 1800 688 009 or visit http://www.childabuseprevention.com.au/ or call The Child Abuse Report Line on: 131 478(Open 24 hours).
Bravehearts is an organisation that helps the victims of child sex abuse.
You can find more information about them here.
Top Comments
I agree with Lisa. This is a blow-up. It was just a case of poor judgement on her behalf.
The headline claims the woman "had sex with 13 yo" and uses the term "sexual relationship".
Thirteen year old children cannot consent to sex. All and any sexual contact with a child is abuse, and the headline should reflect this, rather than softening the reality with phrases like "sexual relationship" which implies a level of consent, effectively minimising these criminal acts.
Totally agree with Caitlin, these headlines often reflect the views of the public where older woman having sex with younger boys is more about a fantasy. Sex with a minor consenting or otherwise is a crime.She provided the boy "all the cool stuff” he wanted including drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, parties," this is grooming behaviour used by sex offenders, access and opportunity is their motto. Women commit sex crimes too and sadly they are under represented on the sex offences register and less likely to be incarcerated and while there are still headlines like this above and court outcomes in favour of the predator sexually abused boys and girls for that matter, will remain silent victims of female abuser due to the stigma of telling their story!
I understand what you are saying, but that is the name of the specific crime she was charged with-conducting a sexual relationship with a child. So while I totally agree that her behaviour is nothing but child abuse, MM aren't just using the phrase to be flippant.