Monster At My wedding: The Smiles were Fake…
Abused by stepdad from age 5 Fake smiles in the wedding pictures Justice at last – but at what cost?
Snuggling under my parents’ duvet, I closed my eyes. I’d often sleep next to Mum.
My stepdad Stephen Campy would climb into bed after his shifts as a taxi driver.
But within minutes of Mum getting up for work, I’d bite my lip, knowing what was coming...
I was only 5. But most days, Stephen would abuse me.
Every time, I’d pretend to be asleep and stay perfectly still as he put his hand under the cover and into my underwear.
Too scared to cry, I’d count the seconds until it was over.
Mum had met Stephen not long after my real dad had left.
Although Stephen was strict, he was also loving and kind.
He had two children of his own and became like a dad to me and my two older sisters.
When the abuse started, I hated it but took it as normal. What dads do.
But growing up, that changed.
I felt sick
None of my friends talked about their dads going into their room at night.
Something told me I couldn’t talk about what Stephen did. Years passed and it escalated. If Mum was out, he’d prey on me.
He never raped me, but would make me masturbate him. Later I’d feel sick and scrub myself.
Sometimes Stephen would buy me a bag of sweets after.
‘Sorry love,’ he’d say. ‘I just thought it was your mam.’
Even as a child, I didn’t believe him. I started getting angry at how I was treated.
My escape route came at 17 when I met my boyfriend. Six months in, I was pregnant. Both Mum and Stephen were appalled. ‘You’re too young,’ Stephen barked.
I was stunned – after everything he’d done! I couldn’t hold it in...
‘I was just a child,’ I cried. ‘Why did you do it?’
‘I don’t know,’ he started. ‘Maybe I loved you too much.’ Confused, I nodded and got on with my life. I went on to have a son. But memories of the abuse ate
Too scared to cry, I’d count the seconds until it was over
away and left me depressed.
After my second boy was born, I told a health visitor.
‘Have you thought about reporting it?’ she asked.
I didn’t feel strong enough. Soon, me and my fella broke up.
I put all my energy into looking after the boys. But in October 2001, I met Craig.
I told him about my past and we went on to have a son.
‘I hate that man for what he did to you,’ Craig said. He was a real shoulder to cry on.
But we had to bite our tongues when we married in July 2007.
‘We have to invite Stephen,’ I said.
Growing stronger
It was easier to keep up appearances than kick up a fuss. It felt surreal as Stephen walked me up the aisle.
We slapped on fake smiles as we posed for pictures with the man who took my innocence.
Years passed – and, in many ways, I felt lucky. I loved Craig, adored my boys.
But I knew that I’d never
lead a happy life. Last year, I had a breakdown, unable to cope. For months, I could barely get out of bed.
Craig never once faltered in his love.
But it was only as I read how other victims coped that
I got stronger.
‘I must go to the police,’ I told Craig.
I needed to be believed. And, once I’d called, a huge weight was lifted.
I gave a statement and, four weeks later, Stephen Campy was arrested.
Yet, sadly, my family turned against me.
Thankfully, I had Craig and my boys. Plus the Blue Door charity in Scunthorpe.
In April this year, Campy, 74 and almost blind, appeared at Hull Crown Court.
He pleaded guilty to attempted rape of a female under 16, gross indecency with a girl under 14, and 16 indecent assaults on a girl under 14.
As he was jailed for 12 years with an additional year extended sentence, I felt sheer relief.
My family were still adamant he was innocent, even though Campy admitted everything.
‘Love you, Dad,’ my sister called from the public gallery.
The cost of justice was losing my family. But now I’m looking to the future.
Campy destroyed my childhood, but I have justice – and encourage other victims of sexual abuse to come forward.
Like me, you deserve to be believed...and to be happy.
My family were still adamant that he was innocent