BARROW RAIDERS skipper Jarrad Stack has spoken of the sexual abuse he suffered as a child in Australia – and urged any other victims who hear his story to contact him for help and advice.

His abuser was found guilty in an Australian court this year, but cannot be named for legal reasons.

Having joined Workington in 2009 (he moved to Barrow in 2017), former Norths Devils second rower Stack has settled in the UK and works as a police officer.

He confided in a work colleague about his ordeal in 2022, and that person directed him to the relevant authorities.

As reported by the website Cumbria Crack, the 37-year-old has released a video on social media saying: “This is something I’ve wanted to share publicly for a long time.

“I’m finally ready to speak up — not just for myself, but for anyone who has ever been through something similar.

“If you’re struggling or have been where I’ve been, I hope my story helps you find the strength to come forward.

“Speaking out is how we take the shame off ourselves and place it back where it belongs — on the person who caused the harm.

“Please feel free to share my story. You never know who might need to see it and realise they’re not alone.”

As a result of the abuse, Stack has experienced flashbacks, anxiety and mental health issues over the years.

“When I was eleven, I was sexually abused,” he explained.

“For so many years I kept this secret because I was embarrassed, I was ashamed and I was scared of what people would think of me.

“Now I look back and I think I was a kid and there was nothing I could do, but at the time going through that and before I spoke to anyone, I would always have this at the back of my mind.

“I didn’t tell any of my friends or any of my family, I just tried to deal with it the best I could.”

Of talking to his work colleague, he said: “I felt like someone had listened to me and genuinely wanted to help me. They had no other agenda.

“From that day they changed my life. I’ve thanked them numerous times, but still to this day I really don’t think they understand what they have done for me and my life and changed it for the better.

“I explained to them I’d always wanted to do something, but had never done something properly and straight away that person arranged for me to speak with local authorities in the UK.”