Introduction

• Author: Judith Daylen, Wendy van Tongeren Harvey, and Dennis O'Toole
• Pages: 27-32

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Introduction

A practical resource

     book as a guide for anyone who has been sexu-

ally assaulted and who wants to hold the oender accountable. It is also

for those who are called upon to play a role in the resolution of a sexual

crime, and for professionals who work in this area. If someone has sexual ly

assaulted or abused you, it may feel like you face insurmountable obstacles

on the road to recove ry or in pursuin g justice. Your emotional reac tions to

this cri me, to the responses of others to you, and to the worki ngs of lega l

process can be frustrating and complex. e goal of this book is to facil itate

your emotional journey and to demystify some of the legal system complex-

ities. We provide cur rent information and reference s to multiple resources

to assist those who want to expand their understanding and knowledge.

Sexual assault and chi ldhood sexual abuse are crimes that put unique

demands on everyone involved; not only the person who is assaulted, but

a wide circle of community members. e crime has substantial impact

on family, friends, mental health professionals, those who investigate the

crime, and the many professionals who work in the justice system. It is our

hope that the i nformation provided here w ill help those a ected by sexua l

crimes resp ond more eectively to t he challenge s we all fac e before, durin g,

and aer legal proceedings.

Based on our rst-hand experience

   , we have drawn on our rst-hand experience in

the courts, our direct professional experience with those who have been

sexually assau lted or abused, and our review of the legal and psychological