"Court Case" - Daily journal by Lynne

Thirty five years ago she was molested by him.

“Mary” has been coming to us for counselling for about 5 years now and we knew the trial was going to be tough. Just before the case went to trial his lawyer applied for a “third party record” application meaning that her counselling records (and anything else he deemed relevant) would be handed to the Defence if the application was successful.

STRESS. Talk about stress—this was worse than her anticipation of trial–worse than being questioned by a lawyer. Her inner most thoughts—notes our counsellors took from conversations with her would be turned over. Mary was in crisis. We hired a lawyer to protect the file and WE WON!!! The records were not turned over. Talk about relief. Mary felt our resounding support. We all breathed a sigh of relief. This is sometimes a strategy used by defense to intimidate and discredit victims—it was certainly the tactic employed in this case.

Incidentally—he plead guilty. Guilty….he admitted it. After 35 years it was ‘done’. Well—this part was done….sort of. She is still committed to counselling. What was done to her as a child changed and shaped her entire life and her entire world. Even after the court case was won—she still feels the same—perhaps more validated. Mary read her victim impact statement out in court. She had her ‘moment’ in court. It was tough but she managed.

Lynne
Executive Director