Warning: This story contains details of sexual offences that may be distressing to some readers.
A man convicted of four sex-related offences against a teen girl has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison.
In the ruling, handed down Feb. 24 but released this week, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Miriam Gropper noted the man was aware of the influence he had over the teen — his stepdaughter — and manipulated her to "gain compliance from her."
Finding the offences "opportunistic," the judge wrote that "similar circumstances are unlikely to be repeated.”
In order to protect the victim's identity, the names or location of the offences were not included in the ruling.
The 55-year-old man, who was tried by jury in Courtenay, B.C., was found guilty of sexual interference contrary, invitation to touching, sexual exploitation and sexual assault.
The court heard the offences began when the girl was 11 and continued until she was 18.
“I am satisfied that S.H.B. committed sexual offences against E.K. frequently and in the manner and over the years that she described,” Gropper said, using two individuals' initials.
E.K. testified she had begun to cut herself to release the turmoil in her, that she said things were “really bad” when she started Grade 12. She was hoping to get to the end of the school year so she could graduate and move out.
By November 2018, she felt if she did not tell somebody about what was happening that she “was going to die.”
Gropper said S.H.B. abused his authority to restrict E.K.'s day‑to‑day activities, including the use of her phone and computer, or seeing her friends.
“He did this as a means of extracting sexual favours from her,” the judge said.
Police were notified of the abuse after the teen disclosed what was happening to a teacher.
“She described the guilt she felt at that point because she thought she had ruined her family,” Gropper said.
E.K.'s mother gave a victim impact statement to the court.
“She described the dark world of hurt and despair she has experienced since learning of S.H.B.'s offences,” Gropper said. “She has difficulty forgiving herself for bringing S.H.B. into her family and trusting him with E.K.”
A testifying psychologist doubted S.H.B. was a risk for assaulting females with whom he does not have a prior acquaintanceship.
“Vulnerable, young females in a dependent relationship with him may be more at risk than those who are not,” the psychologist testified.
If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Call VictimLinkBC 24/7 at 1-800-563-0808 or email VictimLinkBC@bc211.ca.
