A survivor of rape and sexual assault is focusing on efforts to encourage other abuse victims to come forward and seek their own justice.
Having seen her attacker, Trevor Cairns, jailed after finally answering for three decades of abuse, the woman is now focusing her efforts on encouraging people to speak out and seek their own justice.
All victims of rape and sexual offences are automatically given life-long anonymity and, therefore, police said the brave survivor’s real identity will not be shared and for the purposes of the story, she has been named Mrs Z.
She was present at Newcastle Crown Court to see Cairns, her childhood attacker, given a 28-year-long prison sentence, last Thursday (May 18).
Read more: Washington man with motivation for “sexual power” over children jailed
The now 66-year-old defendant, of Barmston, Washington, initially denied 13 charges, which took in 47 separate offences against Mrs Z and two other complainants.
But he changed pleas mid-way through his trial in February and appeared back via video link from prison for last week’s sentencing hearing.
The sentence imposed by Judge Robert Spragg means Cairns, who is now said to be in poor health, must spend at least two-thirds of the custodial term, almost 19 years, behind bars before being eligible to be considered for release by the Parole Board.
Cairns had spent years denying his guilt and it was only as the evidence mounted against him, six days into his trial, that he changed his pleas to guilty.
Mrs Z welcomed the outcome but said in her eyes no sentence will ever be enough or could ever give her back her childhood.
Discussing her journey to justice, she said: “In the back of my mind I always knew that one day the call would come.”
Mrs Z was painstakingly tracked down by Detective Colin Ramshaw, of Northumbria Police, after another victim disclosed having been abused by Cairns.
Believing there were other victims, the seasoned detective spotted what appeared to be a pattern of abuse and, determined to get justice, began contacting other potential victims.
Mrs Z said: “Some people knew about the abuse but not in detail, not even my family.
“I never told anyone of the extent of the brutal abuse I endured, or what I witnessed.
“It was, and is, too traumatic to even think about, never mind talk about.
“After the phone call, I felt overwhelming pain and apprehension of what was to come, but my family and friends were very supportive and very proud that I have had the strength and resolve to go through such a traumatic trial.”
Read more: Washington paedophile Trevor Cairns pleads guilty to sexual abuse
Once the initial shock of the phone call from police had worn off, and, with family and friends offering support in every way imaginable, Mrs Z began assisting officers.
She said: “It didn’t take any convincing to openly speak about it.
“After that call, I knew I had to do it.
“Of course, there was a period of apprehension, as I didn’t know what to expect, or how long it would take to get to court.
“Making a video and verbal statements of my inner most feelings and horrific memories was very difficult.
“But, I knew I needed to do this for me, my family, my friends and for all those out there that may have been victim to this predatorial monster.
“I was scared to appear in court, but knew I had nothing to hide and only had to tell the truth about what had happened.”
Mrs Z courageously spoke aloud in court at Thursday’s sentencing hearing, reading her victim impact statement to the judge, before he made his sentencing decision.
She said: “I wanted to show the true effect and reflection of what happened to me.
“He will never defeat me.
“He is a pathetic predator who preyed on the defenceless, a manipulator who is calculated and played the system.
“He thought he could go through life with apparent impunity, slithering and creeping under the radar like the monstrous reptile he is, a life destroyer.
“I have some resolve in my mind that he will never get the opportunity of hurting anyone ever again.”
Asked why she chose to read her own statement and not have it read by someone else on her behalf, she said: “I do feel a sense of empowerment.
“My confidence has come a long way since the initial phone call from Detective Ramshaw.
“I just hope and pray that Cairns now spends the rest of his miserable life rotting in prison.”
Encouraging other people to speak out, she said: “My message to anyone who has been, or is still, currently, a victim of such vile acts is to remember, it is not your fault.
“Don’t think you will be judged, don’t think you deserved it, don’t fear not being believed.”
She said there is, “an amazing support network” available to help guide victims along every step of the court process guide you every step of the investigation phase and court process.
“Police will keep everything completely confidential, and they permit you to lead the way.
“One day there will be guilt and another day there will be anger.
“It’s normal to feel this way, you are a survivor.”
She added: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank my family and friends, police, legal representation and the court and support services that have helped all three of us through this very difficult period in our lives.
“They know who they are.”
She thanked them for believing her and the two other victims in the case.
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“My message to Trevor Cairns is this.
“I speak for this little girl and all the other children you brutally raped and abused, you did not defeat us, and I hope you suffer like we have.”
Anyone affected by the story of Mrs Z and the other victims of Cairns, is encouraged to visit Northumbria Police’s website for information on how to report offences and seek the support available.
