A victim of paedophile Christopher Winslow Darrell has spoken out in defence of the church that hired the convicted child molester.

The mother of two, who did not want to be identified, said yesterday that if it had not been for the church, she would never have recovered from the traumatic and horrific rape in 1999 ? when she was only 16.

In recent weeks, Darrell made headlines after he was hired by Bright Temple AME Church in Warwick as a musical director.

The church gave Darrell the position even though it was aware of his previous convictions because the pastor wanted to give Darrell a ?second chance?.

He was given the position with restrictions to stay away from the girls in the church because of his history of molesting young girls.

However, in June Darrell fondled a 13-year-old boy during a music lesson and was subsequently arrested.

The pastor was quoted in the Press as saying that it was hoped the Lord would step in and help Darrell change his ways, but everyone understood now that it was hard for someone like Darrell to control themselves around children.

Darrell was sentenced to four years earlier this month for the offence ? his fifth conviction for similar offences in 15 years.

One of his first victims said yesterday that it was wrong to criticise the church for following biblical principles.

?The church set boundaries and Darrell abused these boundaries... to blame the church for this is wrong,? she said.

She said after the rape she used to wake up with cold sweats and did not trust men for a long time.

She said she received psychological treatment and even tried medications.

But she remained traumatised because of what Darrell had done to her.

?I want to stress that it was only through the teachings of the church that I found my peace and my joy,? she said, speaking of the trust and love she shares with her husband and children.

She said it was important that the public not attack the church for trying to help someone like Darrell.

?I understand what they were trying to do,? she said, adding that she was sure that Bright Temple really wanted to heal Darrell.

I believe he abused this trust, but I really believe the church should not be attacked,? she said.

She said she had forgiven Darrell for what he did to her and when she read the articles in the newspapers, she felt truly sorry for him because she could finally see how ?sick? he was.

?I feel pity for him and feel sorry for him that he has not been healed as I?m sure he was abused as a child as well and was also a victim once,? she said.

She said she did not talk about what happened to her because it was very personal and painful, but in reading what Darrell had done to other children, she became angry at the complete failure of the court system in Bermuda, the obvious lack of medical facilities for paedophiles and the failure of the prison system to keep him behind bars.

?I should have been his last victim and am angry that other children have had to go through this,? she said.

She said Darrell should have received extensive treatment, not just ?spiritual? treatment, but also psychological.

As a message to victims of sexual assault and molestation, she said it was important for them to find peace and surround themselves with positive things and people ? as is found in the church.

?I found true healing in the church and it hurts me when I see how they were being attacked in their efforts for rehabilitating people like Darrell. The church should not be under condemnation,? she said.