“Living with yous made me feel thoughts of suicide,” she said.
The girl recalled feeling pressure to keep the abuse secret, putting on a “fake smile” to hide her misery.
Chris McKeen/Stuff
Sushma and Paul Luxton appeared at the Manukau District Court on Wednesday.
“We knew in our head not to say anything in case we were heard and got a hiding ... I was scared and couldn’t find my voice.”
She said the Luxtons’ treatment of her made her feel worthless, and she began self-harming.
“I eventually lost my emotions and became a very dull person.”
The girl said school was her safe place, while coming home to the Luxtons every night was a nightmare.