Manchester polygraph test proves sex abuse
A Manchester Polygraph test could have helped prove sex abuse earlier on in a recent case.
The case
A woman who was sexually abused by her ‘bogeyman’ dad as a child has bravely shared her story in a bid to help others.
Stace Don was horrifically abused by her own father, Nigel Taylor. He would ‘turn up out of the blue’ and treat her like a slave, physically, mentally and sexually abusing her.
The 32-year-old from Oldham bravely spoke out to police about what was happening and Taylor was locked up for the vile offences. The mum-of-one now wants to help other people like her who have survived abuse.
Horrific childhood
Stace’s ordeal began at the age of two, when she was taken into foster care and away from Taylor. She said: “My childhood was chaotic. My dad would turn up every now and again.
“I remember once he spoke to me in the street and introduced himself as my dad. We had contact on and off, but he had an awful temper.”
Frightened and alone
She said at the age of 17 she went to visit him, but was made to stay on. Stace said: “He would say to me ‘look, you want me to be nice to you, don’t you and this is part of it’. He would drive me to deserted areas and abuse me in his car, or he’d do it when the house was quiet.
“I wasn’t strong enough to fight him off and I was frightened of him too. I knew what his temper was like. He treated me as a doormat; I had to cook and clean for him, I had to look after him like I was his slave. If the housework wasn’t done, if his clothes weren’t ironed, I was in trouble.
The process
“He forced me to stay awake to watching wrestling on late night TV and if I dozed off, he would touch me inappropriately or hit me. He’d wake me up by throwing my bed upside down. I had to stay awake for the wrestling, even though I was often exhausted.”
The attacks escalated and Stace became increasingly isolated. She said: “Mentally, physically, emotionally, he all but destroyed me. I had nowhere to turn and I felt helpless.”
Stace told the police about Taylor and in April 2011, he was jailed for seven years at Basildon Crown Court. He admitted sexual activity with a child family member.
Convicted sex offender
Firstly, Taylor was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register in Manchester. Secondly, he was ordered to stay away from Stace.
Stace has now created a blog to help other survivors. So far, it has attached more than 10,000 supporters, with views from across 30 different countries.
“My father was like a bogeyman all through my childhood; he would turn up out of the blue. He treated me as his slave and if I didn’t do what he wanted he would sexually, physically, mentally or emotionally abuse me”, Stace said.
“I felt so isolated during the abuse and therefore that is why I started the blog; to reach out to others.
The blog
“My supporters are spread over 30 different countries, from the US to Australia, South Africa and beyond.
“I think it shows that these issues are universal. Anyone who can relate to anything I’ve written, please know that you will find happiness in yourself. The life you live is yours and yours alone.”
She added: “I will never fully recover from the horrors of my childhood, however, I want to turn this into something positive. I want to help others and therefore I started my blog for other survivors. It’s not just emotional support, it’s practical advice too, dealing with social services and the court system. Nobody should feel alone. Help is out there”
How a lie detector can help
To conclude, Police are now using polygraph testing upon arrest of sex abusers and offenders. Firstly, taking a lie detector test this early on in a case helps police rule out suspicions or to confirm suspects guilt. Secondly, Police are also making regular polygraph testing part of release terms. Finally, this has meant communities have peace of mind in knowing that released offenders are being held accountable to regular polygraph tests. In conclusion, Police believe that this has helped reduce repeat offending dramatically.
The Maggie Oliver foundation works with women of sex and child abuse. You can find support and advice on the foundation’s website. If you suspect someone is a victim of sex abuse movement book a test online today. You can also call us on our free helpline on 07572 748364.
We provide confidential office appointments and home tests throughout Manchester and the North West.
