A mother who 'enabled' the sexual abuse of her 12-year-old daughter had asked her doctor to prescribe her the contraceptive pill because she was 'sexually active'.
The South Australian woman was found to have abused her partner, the child's stepfather, the girl aged between 12 and 16 before becoming involved in the abuse herself.
The couple, who were both sentenced to lengthy prison terms in court, cannot be named for legal reasons.
“Instead of protecting her, you first enabled the sexual abuse of her by allowing (the stepfather) to assault her, and then joined in his exploitation through sexual contact with him and (the girl ) to enter into,” said Judge Emily Telfer, according to the advertiser.
'It is difficult to imagine a more serious breach of trust between mother and daughter.'
The mother (photo) was found to have 'enabled' her partner, the child's stepfather, to abuse the girl between the ages of 12 and 16 before becoming involved in the abuse herself
The stepfather (pictured) was sentenced to twelve years and seven months in prison and a non-parole period of eight years and seven months.
The couple was previously found guilty of maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child.
Judge Telfer jailed the mother for ten years and three months, with a non-parole period of seven years.
During an appointment with a psychologist, she had maintained her innocence.
The stepfather was sentenced to twelve years and seven months in prison and a non-parole period of eight years and seven months.
The daughter previously told the court: '(I) wanted to be treated like a daughter.
'I remember staring out the window and tears rolling down my face, I just wanted it to be over, but there was no point in fighting it because I would be treated like shit again.'
Judge Telfer noted that it is “impossible to properly summarize the devastation the couple has wrought on the girl's life.
“Despite what you've done to her, she's going to be a strong, smart, and driven young woman.”