Former Barrow and Workington Town RL star Jarrad Stack has spoken publicly about sexual abuse his suffered as an 11-year-old.
Stack, a 37-year-old Australian, who played over 300 games during his time in Cumbria, took to social media to reveal the extent of the abuse.
He said: “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.”
In the video, Stack said the abuse had caused him to experience flashbacks, triggers and get low and down over the years.
It has been reported that his abuser was a well-known basketball personality.
Stack, who now works as a police officer in the UK, confided in a work friend about his ordeal in 2022.
He said: “For the first time in my life I actually felt like someone had listened to me and that they genuinely wanted to help me.
“They had no other agenda, I won’t name them, but 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.”
The abuser was found guilty in an Australian court this year. He cannot be named for legal reasons.
Stack added: “When I was 11 I was sexually abused, 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 and 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.
“I see my job now is to try to help anyone I can and why I’ve made this video, not just for people who has been sexually abused, but anyone that is struggling to reach out to anyone to talk to someone.
“I am open to anyone who wants to message me privately, I am happy to speak to anyone, and I’m not embarrassed anymore or ashamed.
“I am speaking up for everyone who hasn’t spoken up and to hopefully give someone the confidence to come forward.”
Stack was brought to Britain in 2009 by Workington Town and spent the first eight years at Derwent Park, now the Fibrus Community Stadium.
Victoria-born Stack had played as a youngster with Melbourne Storm before deciding to try his luck in the UK.
After leaving Town with over 150 appearances to his name he went on to clock-up a similar figure with Barrow up to the end of last season.
He captained both teams and has been held in the highest regard by fans of Town and Raiders.
