'Lifelong sentence' for masseur's sex assault victim

But she walked out feeling dirty, betrayed and fearful of all clinical settings after being groped and digitally raped.

Steven Goldberg, 69, is awaiting sentencing for attacking the woman during the two-hour session in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

In a powerful statement read to Parramatta District Court by her father on Thursday, the woman laid bare the unrelenting suffering she has experienced since the October 2023 attack. 

"I attended the massage seeking help, comfort and healing and instead my trust was violated in the most intimate way," her father read, his voice breaking. 

The woman - who cannot be identified for legal reasons - said the masseur had exploited his position of power, leaving her feeling "disgusting, dirty and tainted". 

As a result, she lost her trust and sense of safety in medical or therapeutic settings and has been unable to get a haircut or go to a medical appointment for two years. 

"I choose to live in pain and discomfort rather than potentially putting myself in a vulnerable position with a clinician again," the 32-year-old said. 

She described her ongoing struggles with anxiety, hypervigilance, and intrusive memories of the attack which leave her feeling "trapped and powerless". 

"I continue to live with the consequences of this crime every day and the recovery it requires currently feels like a lifelong sentence," the woman said.

Goldberg was found guilty of sexual intercourse without consent and sexual touching without consent following a trial in November. 

She learned about Goldberg from a glowing testimonial from radio host Jackie O, who said on air: "It was something else, oh my god". 

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on the part of Jackie O or co-host Kyle Sandilands.

Goldberg did not mention his services involved anything sexual and there was no communication to suggest the woman might be interested in that, prosecutor Ann Bonnor said.

The woman said he had asked "Are we alright to keep going?" before the assault, and she agreed because she thought he was referring to the massage.

There was nothing in the tone or the casual nature of the question to indicate he was going to sexually touch her, Ms Bonnor contended, and it didn't amount to asking clear permission to do so.

She pushed for the 69-year-old to be jailed, citing the need to send a strong message to other massage therapists and health practitioners that the law doesn't waiver.

But Goldberg's lawyer April Francis argued her client was not a risk to the community given his age and the loss of his ability to work as a masseur.

Goldberg believed the woman had consented and apologised unreservedly for getting it wrong when confronted afterwards during a recorded phone call, she said. 

"This wasn't a case of trying to take advantage, this was a case of trying to provide a therapeutic benefit," Ms Francis told the court.

"It's an unorthodox service but one that he was genuinely committed to."

Goldberg will remain behind bars until he is sentenced in February 2026. 

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028

Australian Associated Press