8-year-old girl 'contracted HIV after being raped by football coach'

The girl, now aged 27, said she first felt ill aged 13 and was diagnosed as HIV positive aged 15

Tuesday 05 April 2016 17:29 BST

(PA)

An eight-year-old girl allegedly contracted HIV after being repeatedly raped by her football coach, an Australian commission has heard.

In a statement read on her behalf, the girl told the Royal Commission into Child Sex Abuse she was brought into the coach's bedroom by his wife who then allegedly stayed to watch her getting raped.

Referred to by the hearing as BXA, she said: "I would see her watching and when I would look at her, she would look away."

News.com/au reported the girl, now aged 27, said she was signed up to the under-10s club based in Sydney by her mother in 1996.

BXA would regularly stay with the coach, identified as BXK, and his wife on Friday nights.

When she was 11, she told a school friend about the abuse. The school found out and then contacted New South Wales Department of Community Services (DoCS).

BXA gave evidence against BXK when she was 13 but he was acquitted.

In pictures: White Flowers Campaign to support child abuse victims

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In pictures: White Flowers Campaign to support child abuse victims

White Flowers Campaign

A campaigner holds a banner at Old Palace Yard in Westminster, during an event organised by the White Flowers Campaign Group, in commemoration of victims and survivors of child abuse

In pictures: White Flowers Campaign to support child abuse victims

White Flowers Campaign

Pictures, messages and floral tributes left at Old Palace Yard in Westminster, organised by the WhiteFlowers Campaign Group in commemoration of victims and survivors of child abuse

In pictures: White Flowers Campaign to support child abuse victims

White Flowers Campaign

Jenny Tomlin, the mother of Martine McCutcheon, attends a gathering at Old Palace Yard in Westminster, organised by the White Flowers Campaign Group, to lay white flowers in commemoration of victims and survivors of child abuse

In pictures: White Flowers Campaign to support child abuse victims

White Flowers Campaign

Child abuse campaigner Bill Maloney speaks to relatives, supporters, victims and survivors of abuse as they gather at Old Palace Yard in Westminster to lay white flowers in commemoration of victims and survivors of child abuse

In pictures: White Flowers Campaign to support child abuse victims

White Flowers Campaign

Rotherham MP Sarah Champion speaks during a gathering at Old Palace Yard in Westminster, organised by the WhiteFlowers Campaign Group, to lay white flowers in commemoration of victims and survivors of child abuse

In pictures: White Flowers Campaign to support child abuse victims

White Flowers Campaign

Simon Danczuk MP speaks during a gathering at Old Palace Yard in Westminster, organised by the WhiteFlowers Campaign Group, to lay white flowers in commemoration of victims and survivors of child abuse

In pictures: White Flowers Campaign to support child abuse victims

White Flowers Campaign

John Mann MP attends a gathering at Old Palace Yard in Westminster, organised by the WhiteFlowers Campaign Group, to lay white flowers in commemoration of victims and survivors of child abuse

In pictures: White Flowers Campaign to support child abuse victims

White Flowers Campaign

A woman leaves a floral tribute at Old Palace Yard in Westminster

In pictures: White Flowers Campaign to support child abuse victims

White Flowers Campaign

Relatives, supporters and survivors of abuse hold a minutes silence during a gathering at Old Palace Yard in Westminster, organised by the WhiteFlowers Campaign Group, in commemoration of victims and survivors of child abuse

In pictures: White Flowers Campaign to support child abuse victims

White Flowers Campaign

Jenny Tomlin, the mother of Martine McCutcheon (left) supports Esther Grace of Cardiff, a victim and survivor of abuse, during a gathering at Old Palace Yard in Westminster, organised by the WhiteFlowers Campaign Group, to lay white flowers in commemoration of victims and survivors of child abuse

In 2003, he was jailed after pleading guilty to multiple counts of abusing other children.

BXA said she first felt ill aged 13 and was diagnosed as HIV positive aged 15.

She believes BXK is responsible as she had not received blood transfusions, taken drugs or had sexual contact with anyone else.

The hearing heard BXK continued coaching for a further two years until Soccer NSW, now Football NSW, found out about the BXA rape charge.

The Royal Commission is holding a two-week-long hearing into sporting clubs and institutions.