VIDEO: Woman who was abused by step father encourages other victims of abuse to get justice

A woman who was sexually abused by her stepfather as a child has urged other survivors of abuse to come forward to get justice.
Sexual abuse victim  Antoinette Fox EMN-160126-161505009Sexual abuse victim  Antoinette Fox EMN-160126-161505009
Sexual abuse victim Antoinette Fox EMN-160126-161505009

Antoinette Fox, who works in a Peterborough school, was molested for about six years by Brian Davey.

Davey, a music teacher, who was aged 67 and of Milton, Cambridge was given a 13 year sentence in 2006 after admitting a total of 27 offences, with a number of victims coming forward.

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Today Mrs Fox (42) said it was important for victims of abuse to have the confidence to talk about what had happened, and see the culprits face justice.

She had waived her anonymity to encourage others to speak to police.

She said: “I was sexually abused from the age of six until about 12 by the man who later became my stepfather.

“I made a number of attempts to report him, but no-one would prosecute him.

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“Then ten years ago there was an investigation, and police put all the pieces together, and he was given a 13 year sentence. He served seven and a half years.

“I knew I would help with the investigation. I work in a school in a senior position, and we have to teach by example, and report matters like this. “I think people knew it was happening at the time, and I don’t know why he was not prosecuted.
“Back in the 70s and 80s people did not talk about abuse. But that has changed now.

“People are more willing to talk about it.”

Mrs Fox said she spoke to police and social workers about the abuse at the time, but no action was taken - she said she did not know why, but described Davey as ‘charismatic.’

But she said while reporting the offences was difficult at the time, detectives investigating the case 10 years ago had helped the truth come out.

She said: “The police were fantastic ten years ago.

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“They dealt with it in a very matter of fact way. There was no head tilting, or sympathy, and that approach was very useful for me - it might not be for everyone, but it was very non-patronising.

“It is important for older men and women to come forward, and talk to anyone. Consider talking to the police. It is never too late. Despite there being no forensic evidence, the police are very good at putting together a jigsaw. Justice needs to be done.

“We need to allow children to have complicated talks, and the media need to accept and understand it is complicated, and not just black and white, especially when it comes to matters such as incest.”

Davey pleaded guilty to 27 offences, meaning Mrs Fox did not have to give evidence at a trial.

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She said: “I was very relieved not to have to go through a trial.

“I went to see him being sentenced with six others. It was a traumatic experience. I was accompanied by a police officer and a police press officer, as I had already waived my anonymity by that point.

“The police were supportive, but it was traumatic as it was my stepfather, who had brought me up, and there he was going to prison. It was very messy, but I was delighted justice had happened. I think you need justice, even if someone is elderly, they still deserve justice.”

Mrs Fox said recent high profile sexual abuse cases had been helpful for encouraging people to come forward.

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She said: “I went on Radio 4 to talk about Jimmy Savile, but people have to realise when it is incest it is a very different crime. Even if you love someone, if they have done something wrong you should still seek justice and make sure they are punished.

“When I told my family I was going to report him, they were very supportive.”