NCJ Number
145393
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (1993) Pages: 129-130
Date Published
1993
Length
2 pages
Annotation
The civil litigation process can provide a therapeutic forum for the adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse by allowing the survivor to confront the abuser directly without necessarily testifying and by assuring that the abuser is held accountable for the abuse.
Abstract
Another therapeutic aspect of litigation is the potential to affix responsibility properly and relieve the survivor of any remaining feelings of guilt or shame. This type of litigation has potential harmful effects, however, particularly if the defense attorney decides to attack the victim, who may display symptoms of the sexually abused child syndrome, including alcohol or drug abuse and sexual acting out. Because adult survivor litigation by definition takes place years after the abuse occurred, it is difficult to accumulate either direct or circumstantial evidence. For adult survivor litigation to succeed, there must be honest and total communication between the victim and the lawyer regarding possible outcomes, which will help counteract any negative effects a loss would have on the therapeutic process.