Buried abuse memory brought sisters' abuser to justice
Two sisters successfully brought their half-brother to justice for historical sexual abuse after one sister recovered repressed memories through EMDR therapy. The perpetrator was sentenced to 17 years in prison for multiple counts of rape and indecent assault.
Why it matters
The case highlights the role of specialized trauma therapy in legal proceedings and the importance of victims waiving anonymity to seek justice.
Image source, Family photo Image caption, Nikita Dallison and Mellissa Arkwright have waived their right to anonymity to share what happen to them
Sisters Nikita Dallison and Mellissa Arkwright were just six and seven years old when they began to be abused by their half-brother Adrian Austin.
But while Nikita, 36, can remember the harrowing details vividly, Mellissa, 35, had no recollection of what happen to her as a little girl.
It was only when Nikita bravely reported the abuse to police in 2021 that Mellissa decided to have a type of talking therapy known as eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR).
This involves listening to sounds, tapping, or flashing lights to remember a traumatic event.
"I needed therapy because my mental health had spiralled way out of control... but I never understood why," said Mellissa.
"It's horrific when you have it, because you feel every single sensation.
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