A Victorian man who was sexually abused by his uncle as a child four decades ago has told a court it is time for the older man to lift his burden of shame.
The victim, who cannot be named, on Thursday faced an online hearing at the Victorian County Court.
Supported by his wife, he told his now 65-year-old uncle he would never forgive him.
"Your shallow words of apology will never be accepted," the 55-year-old father-of-two said.
"I've always felt shameful and dirty. It's never really subsided and I've carried this dark secret all my life.
"My body and mind are now broken. It's long overdue for you to take this burden from me and start living this nightmare."
The man's uncle pleaded guilty to unlawfully assaulting him in the early 1970s, when the then five-year-old victim visited his grandparents' home at Swan Hill.
He also pleaded guilty to one count of buggery in the late 1970s, at the same location, when he was in his early 20s and the victim was in his mid-teens.
The younger man described the abuse as feeling like he was "used a sex toy" to fulfil his uncle's "darkest desires", resulting in his childhood innocence being ripped away.
But he added that he hoped the court and media didn't frame his suffering, which continues, as historical.
"I find it hard that this is called a historical crime, as I'm still living with the repercussions of it today," the man said.
"When you take someone's security, happiness and trust without their consent, it can only be called stealing and it can never be replaced.
"I've always wondered what my life would be like if you didn't act on your devious thoughts."
The victim first reported the abuse to police in 2019.
His uncle's barrister said the accused man had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and was "openly remorseful", but could not explain his actions.
"He is neither gay, nor bisexual, and is not attracted to children," the defence barrister said.
"But he is fully cognisant of the effect on (the victim), which we have so articulately heard."
The 65-year-old man's bail was extended, with his sentencing expected to be heard on Friday.
