NCJ Number
144842
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: (1992) Pages: 121- 126
Date Published
1992
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This adult survivor of child sexual abuse opted to sue the perpetrator through civil court after reclaiming the memories of her abuse.
Abstract
After 5 years of therapy, reliving the memories of her father's sexual abuse and learning to cope with the long- term effects of incest, the author decided to sue her parents in civil court. She realized she risked losing her parents, siblings, and friends and the client-therapist confidentiality and felt extremely guilty because she was hurting her family. Nonetheless, she weighed the benefits and risks and decided to proceed. The decision to sue was based primarily on representing all survivors of child sexual abuse and on stopping her father from molesting other children. The author notes some of the significant emotional difficulties associated with the lawsuit and effects of the lengthy legal process.