Girl abused by child at day care wins payout A Victorian girl sexually abused by another girl at day care suffers separation anxiety, nightmares and has difficulty learning. The child in this photo is a model. Photo: John Donegan A five-year-old girl has won the right to ongoing counselling and a $9000 payout for being sexually abused by another child at a Victorian day care centre. The girl was suffering considerably and blames herself for what happened, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal was recently told. Between the ages of two and four, the girl was bullied by a girl several months older than her, who pulled the victim's hair, kicked her, hit her and put her hands tightly around her throat and strangled her. The victim was also forcefully undressed, including her underwear, and had her face and body licked. The older girl also used objects to sexually assault the victim and threatened to kill her if she told the teachers at the centre. The case came before VCAT after the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal refused the girl's application for an award of special financial assistance, although it had granted compensation for counselling and solicitors' fees. Police did not investigate because of the age of the perpetrator. The victim's mother testified that her daughter has severe separation anxiety, suffers from nightmares, a lack of self-esteem and has trouble learning and concentrating. The mother said that although her daughter has stopped screaming in the middle of the night, she has a see-sawing appetite, wets her bed and is consistently angry. A child psychologist ranked the victim's anxiety as being among the highest levels seen in children. VCAT deputy president Heather Lambrick ruled that the victim suffered a "significant adverse effect" from the bullying and violence and awarded her a $9000 payment. The maximum payment is $10,000 and Ms Lambrick said she did not award the maximum available because there were cases which did have serious ongoing effects. The victim has also had 15 counselling sessions covered, at the cost of $2220, as well as the right to request funds for ongoing counselling as she grows up. Ms Lambrick said she hoped that, in time, the victim would make a full recovery.