The Court of Appeal confirmed the conviction of a man who sexually abused his friend’s underage daughter and raped her mother. They completely rejected the defense’s appeal.
This case shows the need for tougher penalties for child sexual abuse and better protection for vulnerable people. The abuse happened between 2007 and 2010 in a troubled family environment. The accused took advantage of his trust with the family to repeatedly harm the child, both physically and mentally.
The complainant gave her testimony through a recorded process, despite being young, and it was found to be credible. Psychological evaluations confirmed the severe mental damage she suffered from these events. The court noted that the complainant’s mother came to Cyprus in 1999 with her husband and met the accused in 2004. He was married with two kids, and their families became friends. After her husband had a serious accident, the accused helped out daily by picking up the daughter from kindergarten and staying with her until her mother got home from work.
In 2007, after the father moved to an institution and the mother and daughter relocated, the sexual harassment started. The accused began to approach her sexually, ignoring her clear refusals. One night, under pressure, he forced her into sexual intercourse, which she instantly regretted. In 2008, while staying at their home after separating from his wife, he raped her twice in two months, leading to her complaint.
The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction, sending a strong message that Justice will not accept child exploitation. The decision shows that victims’ psychological defenses do not lessen their credibility; instead, they highlight their struggle to survive tough situations. The Court pointed out that when they revealed the facts, mother and daughter had already rebuilt their lives abroad without any ongoing conflict with the accused that would suggest a motive for revenge.
Society needs to support victims and push for penalties that match the seriousness of these crimes. Delays in justice or leniency send the wrong message, leading to irreparable consequences for children.
