A man who was abused as a child by a woman issued a message to other male victims of sexual abuse, telling them “you are not alone.”
Hazel Templeton was sentenced at Belfast Crown Court for sexually abusing the injured party when he was aged 12 and she was aged 39.
The abuse occurred over a three-day period in the summer of 1984 and on Tuesdaythe victim saw his abuser being sent to jail.
Speaking after the sentence of two years and nine months was imposed upon the 79-year old, the man said he was speaking out anonymously to encourage reporting from more boys and men.
He says: “For so many years all I felt was absolute confusion. The basis of any childhood is that you can trust adults.
“The need to keep a secret of that magnitude from friends and family led to me shutting down.
“I become paranoid that people would think less of me, especially as I entered adulthood. The teenage years can be challenging in the best of circumstances.
“However, it’s a sad truth that children who are abused can find the challenge unbearable. She stole my childhood, she is charged with abuse offences but I see it as theft.
“My message to young boys and men today is that you are not alone, the humiliation that you might imagine is probably just that, imagination.
“There are people out there who will treat you with compassion. You shouldn’t listen to the perpetrator as I did. You are not complicit in what happened to you. You deserve to be heard.”
He added: “Today’s outcome doesn’t change what happened in the past but it has opened the doors for a better future without the weight of carrying 40 years of secrets. It is up to me how to proceed from here.”
Also reacting was Detective Constable Douglas who said: “Hazel Templeton is a child predator who manipulated and took advantage of a young boy who trusted her.
“She preyed on him, groomed him and sexually exploited him for her own gratification.
“As a result of this abuse the victim has suffered with mental health issues his whole adult life.
“While bringing this crime to the attention of the olice required a concerted effort on his behalf, we are satisfied with today’s verdict.”
He added: “Even though these crimes occurred more than 40 years ago, we have shown today that PSNI are capable and prepared to listen to witnesses in order to pursue cases of non-recent child sexual abuse…
“We will continue to work around the clock to bring child predators before the courts and would encourage anyone who may have been abused in a similar way to come forward.”