MAN JAILED AFTER YEARS OF SEXUAL ABUSE AGAINST CHILD
A woman has shared her experiences of living with intense anxiety and profound sadness, which has led her to distrust others, following her childhood sexual assault.For legal reasons, her identity remains confidential.
She revealed that she was sexually abused for seven years by Timothy Galer.
Galer, who previously resided on Swaffham Road in Watton, was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of engaging in sexual activities with a minor and encouraging a child to partake in sexual acts, all occurring between 2004 and 2011 in the Dereham region.
Before sentencing at Norwich Crown Court, the woman, now an adult, delivered a heartfelt statement describing how the abuse has affected her life and emotional wellbeing.
“It affects me daily," she said.
"It's always with me, it never goes, flashbacks, being jumpy, to the extent it paralyses me, it's all consuming, even on my better days.
“Even a male voice or opening my front door can cause me to panic, a real panic, it's painful, it's torture, I freeze and that scares me more.
“I feel his touch, his breath and hear his words on repeat.
"They're ingrained in me.
"I have nightmares that are so real I struggle to recognise what is real and what isn't.
"I suffer from raging anxiety, my heart thumping in my throat.
"I live with a deep sadness and cannot trust others.” Galer's sentencing earlier this month followed a week-long trial at the court in February earlier this year.
Galer was also made the subject of an indefinite restraining order, meaning he is unable to contact the victim directly or indirectly.
He was also put on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.
