9.15am
A rape victim has made an emotional plea to others who have been raped or sexually abused to go to police immediately, not wait 36 years as she did.
Well known kaumatua, Eddie Anata Iraia, 69, of Rotorua, was yesterday jailed for six-and-a-half years, after earlier pleading guilty to raping the woman when she was nine.
The 47-year-old woman only laid a complaint with police two years ago.
She said yesterday she wished she had gone to the police earlier but felt intimidated and afraid.
"Don't be afraid. Don't wait for all those years. Just do it," said the woman, who cannot be identified by law.
The woman, who is suffering from throat cancer, said she was satisfied with the sentence but had expected it to be longer.
"He will never fully understand the trauma I have had throughout my life, to the point of suicide."
The High Court was told yesterday that Iraia was a friend of his victim's family and had been staying at their home when he forced his way into her room.
He had earlier gone there but left when he saw her awake.
She tried to barricade the door but when Iraia returned he managed to push it open then rape her.
He told her that if she ever told anyone he would slit her throat.
At his sentencing the woman stood up and faced Iraia.
In tears, she told him of the "miserable" life she had led since the rape. She spoke about how she "hated his guts" for most of her life but wanted to forgive him so she could move on with her life.
"Today I want to say to this man 'I forgive you'."
Justice Rhys Harrison said Iraia had exploited the girl's weakness "in a cruel and callous way" and had imposed a "life sentence of mental anguish" on her.
Iraia had previously been convicted of attempted rape and indecent assault.
The retired father of eight had done a lot of voluntary work including driving elderly people to hospital, Justice Harrison said.
While nothing could "obliterate the stain" of his crime, the loss of mana as a kaumatua was the ultimate penalty he would pay.
Justice Harrison said he was obliged to sentence Iraia on the basis of the penalties in the 1970s, when the starting point for rape was five years' prison. In 1994 it changed to eight years' prison.
The judge thanked the victim for speaking in court.
"Any words cannot convey how moved I was by what you said...on society's behalf I simply want to acknowledge what you have undergone."
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