A woman whose dad raped her because he "couldn't afford a prostitute" has spoken out about her ordeal to encourage other victims to prosecute their abusers.
Sylvia Prescott, from Sunderland, was tormented by dad Oliver Garside while she was a teenager but kept the abuse secret for nearly 30 years.

The now 47-year-old couldn't bring herself to go to the police while her grandmother was still alive for fear that the details of the case would upset her.But when she died in 2012 Sylvia knew it was time to stand up to her bullying father, 68.

Since Garside, was jailed for eight years in May last year Sylvia feels like a weight has been lifted and wishes she had gone to the police sooner.


Sylvia said: "I was terrified that I wouldn't be believed. The abuse happened such a long time ago and it took all the strength I had to go to the police, but in the end I'm so glad I did.

"The prosecution were able to build a strong case against my dad and he pleaded guilty to the abuse meaning I didn't have to go through the trauma of a trial.

"It was during the sentencing that the judge said my dad's excuse for the abuse was that he couldn't afford a prostitute. I was sickened.

"What kind of defence was that?

"However, I finally feel free to live my life without him hovering over me and I should have done it sooner.

"I am so thankful for the support of my children and my husband, I don't know where I would be without them." arside would drag the teenager around the house by the hair, demanding she clean floors and do dishes.



She said: "I was afraid of my father.

"He and my mum split when I was one and I lived with my grandmother until I was 11, then all of a sudden he wanted me to come and live with him.

"The first time he abused me I knew I had to go along with it, but I never imagined how much worse it would get."

Sylvia's husband Paul, 52, had no idea about the abuse and didn't find out until Sylvia decided to go to the police.

She said: "I didn't want anyone to know, it ate me up and I was very very depressed, I even tried to kill myself, I had to have my stomach pumped because I took an overdose two years ago.

"Everything was getting too much but I didn't feel comfortable telling anyone while my gran was still alive, it would have killed her to know what went on."

Sylvia kept her ordeal to herself for almost three decades, but her dad was convicted of the historic abuse after pleading guilty to two charges of rape and one of indecent assault last year.

At court the judge told him: "You told the author of the pre-sentence report you would rather have paid a prostitute but you did not have the money to do so."

Sylvia said: "I was disgusted by his defence. It is sickening to think that could be any kind of excuse.

"I feel like a weight has been lifted, I'm so relieved that he's in jail now and I can breathe again."

SOURCE: MIRROR UK http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life-stories/my-dad-raped-couldnt-afford-4970322

Baddestguyp:
what a loving dad, he satisfied his daughter when konji worried her, he spared her the risk of HIV, he gave her experience in sex

ebukasoso:


Will You Do So To Your Daughter?

Baddestguyp:
NO

Baddestguyp:
NO

Elinob:
Tnx God if u ave a good father becuz some so call father can even rapes u in the nite.

Aprime:
A beast for a dad.
Argg! The world would only be a better place when it's made safe for women first.

VickyyB:

Comes a tangible reason why every woman needs to be a feminist.

ebukasoso:


Taking Up The Status Of A Feminist Won't Help In Your All Round Development Cos You Will Be Frustrated Along The Line. This Is A Sort Of Natural Phenomenom; You Can't Be Given Full Rights Like Men. But Your Silent, Matured n Wise Actions Can Earn U Desired Respect. Yes The Women Need To Be Treated Well, Right n Just But Men See U All As Their Subordinates.

Baddestguyp:
what a loving dad, he satisfied his daughter when konji worried her, he spared her the risk of HIV, he gave her experience in sex

Baddestguyp:
what a loving dad, he satisfied his daughter when konji worried her, he spared her the risk of HIV, he gave her experience in sex

PrinxPeera:
Thou at mad!!!
In other words u b wayre...olosi....agbaya.

skelefish:
I honestly don't see anything wrong with a dad teaching his daughter practical biology, d dude just want d girl to have firsthand knowledge abt practical sex, for me o!

priscaoge:
And if my Dad tries that poo I swear I will cut his Down Clutch and serve him as dinner

priscaoge:
And if my Dad tries that poo I swear I will cut his Down Clutch and serve him as dinner

VickyyB:

Do you know what Feminism is all about?
Women already have right to everything in a developed country.
Feminism empowers young naive ladies out there who are been made to feel inferior.
I, myself, have my full rights like men- i don't know what you're saying.

ebukasoso:


Feminism Is All Abt Advocating 4 women's right. Yes U Have Ur Full Rights But You Cant Have Full Access (becoming sucexful) To Some Of Them Esp The Political Rights Unless U Wield A Strong Male Influence. But U Knw What? U Wont Concur With Me Coz U Seem To Be A 'STUBBORN FEMINIST'. It Will Be A Welcomed Development To Have Ppl Lyk U To Clamour 4 The Social n Political Rights Of Women And Inculcating In Inferior Women The Good Attitudes Of Their Stand In The Society.

shadowgwalker:
I thought it's in Nigeria sef. my head just dey ring west west west Lagos Ogun Osun west west west.
mtchew!!next!!

VickyyB:

Yes. I won't concur with you because you're being myopic.
I already have my rights like i stated and many women around the world are successful on their own.
As for wielding strong male influence, every politicians, need it- male and female counterpart(s), likewise. It's not about feminine things.

There are many men who were made what they are today by women. That's my point......

goldentee:
You get sense at all?