Sexual abuse survivor encourages victims to come forward on anniversary of verdict against uncle

Anita Byrne waived her right to anonymity in order to identify her uncle Paul Farrell, who sexually abused her on several instances in 1992

A sexual abuse survivor is appealing for victims to share their stories one year after her abuser was found guilty.

Anita Byrne was sexually abused in 1992 by her uncle Paul Farrell. He was convicted of sexual assault one year ago today and later sentenced to two years imprisonment.

The abuse first began before her grandfather’s funeral in 1992. Anita was later instructed by her abuser to tell people she was upset because of the family bereavement.

The abuse continued over the course of several months and Anita was threatened to keep silent. Decades later, she finally confronted her abuser before reporting the crime to Gardai.

Anita said: “I asked him why he abused me and his sickening answer was that I was in the wrong place at the wrong time and that it could have been any of us. To think he could have potentially abused one of my younger cousins haunts me.”

Anita is gradually recovering from the emotional toll of going to court. She appealed to other victims to tell the truth about their experiences, in spite of the understandable fear of coming forward.

She told Dublin Live: “I knew going to court meant I would have to face my demons but I’m functioning a lot better now- it gave me a form of closure.”

The ordeal has affected Anita’s relationship with family members, many of whom she claimed sided with her uncle. She remains close to a select few family members and has also received huge support from the Facebook group ‘Survivors Side by Side.’

Paul Farrell was found guilty of one count of sexual assault and 10 sample counts of sexual assault. He was sentenced to two years imprisonment but will likely be released from prison next January.