When Malika's stepfather was named Armidale Senior Citizen of the Year in 2007, she wasn't proud.
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She was furious.
The now 50-year-old Illawarra woman had survived a childhood of sexual abuse at the hands of Richard Peter Maddox.
She was determined that he would not be lauded by the community, and spoke out.
Maddox eventually pleaded guilty to three counts of assault and committing an act of indecency with a girl under 16 and one of carnal knowledge of a girl between 10 and 17 years old, and was sentenced to three years jail, with an 18 month non-parole period, in 2010.
Malika continues to speak about her experience, in the hope that it will protect other children.
"This conversation is long overdue - the more we talk about it the more we can make a change and stop these things happening," she said.
Malika wants to raise awareness of how insidious child abuse can be.
Her mother met the man who would become her stepfather after moving to Australia from America, when Malika was aged four.
She said the signs of impending abuse were there early on, but no one seemed to notice them.
She said Maddox would leave Playboy and Penthouse magazines around the house, and watch age-inappropriate movies with her.
"He would always have an excuse for his behaviour," she said.
"I knew somehow it was wrong, but I was really embarrassed."
Malika's grandmother was the only person who was concerned about the situation. She approached the police with her fears, but was told unless a victim had complained, there was nothing to be done.
Eventually she sold her home in LA to move in with Malika, her mum and her stepfather in Armidale.
When Malika was 15, she wrote 'fathers are for hating' on her wall, and her mother finally realised something was very wrong. Although she was able to get away from the abuse, her stepfather was still present in her life.
"My mum stayed with him until I was 24," Malika said.
She dealt with the abuse by pushing it down and kept her focus on moving forward.
"The full extent of the abuse didn't come out until I'd done five years of counselling in my 30s," she said.
"It's so common that it takes such a long time to come to terms with it and seek help.
"It feels like anything you say is going to be too overwhelming, and I didn't think I would be able to deal with everything.
"But I found counselling very helpful and I never felt overwhelmed."
Malika now has two daughters and a son. One of her daughters was four when she found out Maddox had been named Armidale's senior citizen of the year - the same age Malika was when she met him for the first time.
"I thought 'oh hell no'," she said.
"I looked at my daughter and thought 'what kind of person abuses a four year old?'
"I found out he was still teaching children music. Someone had to call him out."
She went to the police in Wollongong, who liaised with the police in Armidale.
More than anything else I wanted him outed, I wanted everyone to know who he was and what he had done.
- Malika
Eventually, Maddox was put under electronic surveillance.
"You have to get them to admit they're at fault, so I prayed to my grandmother, who was dead by then, to help me on the day I called him," Malika said. "We got enough to get him."
Malika made the decision to have the suppression order on her case removed to ensure Maddox never had the opportunity to offend again.
"I get that it's there to protect us, the victims, but it protects them as well," she said.
"And more than anything else I wanted him outed, I wanted everyone to know who he was and what he had done."
Life is better now. Malika teaches music to children, works as a funeral celebrant and co-runs a production company that puts women centre stage.
"I've always made sure I've protected my daughters and never let anybody live with us," she said.
"I've raised these two amazing girls, and I think I do good service for the community."
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Even though she is in a better place, Malika will not stop advocating for other survivors.
Malika said support services like the Illawarra Women's Health Centre, the Wollongong West Street Centre and the Blue Knot Foundation were invaluable in helping her overcome the abuse, and recommends other survivors reach out.
"It's really important to me that any survivor of abuse learns to love themself and value themself and be kind to themself," she said.
"Even if it takes baby steps, they need to know it was never their fault, put down their shame and hold themselves up.
"Whatever abuse happens may be a scar that we wear, but it does not define us."
If you think a child is in danger call Triple Zero (000), your local police or Crime Stoppers at www.crimestoppers.com.au or on 1800 333 000.
If you are experiencing abuse, contact Kids Helpline 1800 551 800, Lifeline 13 11 14 or the National Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Counselling Service 1800 RESPECT
Survivors who need support can contact the Illawarra Women's Health Centre on 4255 6800, or speak to a Blue Knot Helpline trauma counsellor on 1300 657 380.
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