Hi

Not sure if anyone remembers me, but after 22 months with the Police,all my family being interviewed, and 9 days in the courts this year since February (so far, with out me being there), my case is finally coming up tomorrow (today now)for what is called a "Committal Hearing" where the judge decides if it goes to trial or not.

If that proceeds, I think it may be another 1-3 years.

My two eldest brothers have been (SPELLING HERE) suphoneed (court order to appear) by the perps defence team, but as none of my family knew what was going on back then, I wonder what the point is.

I am very tender tonight, very much like an 11 or 12 year old, but all I can do is go and sit in the foyer of the court (having been told to take a jacket to hide my face if news teams or photographers are there) to support my two eldest brothers who never knew what happened 38 years ago, only found out 2 years ago!! Why do Defence teams do this?

The perp has recently been in the news again, (he is already in prison), as one of his later victims was just awarded a lot of $, but as perp has none, does not mean much.

Soon I would like to publish what I have been through, maybe on my own blog (website), but if it can help anyone, it will be worthwhile

Maybe a new beginning about to happen as this last thing from my youth is dealt with. 100% Support from my family, including my parents in their 80's.

So much guilt from me when I realised he never stopped after me, and went on from the early 70's at least till 2002. If only I could have said something back then!!

Off to bed.a big day for me to support my brothers today, and the outcome, who can guess after so (soooo) long.

Don't get on your self for not telling, even when we did tell back then they didn't beleive us or they did not a thing. I told in 1961 and was told my story was unbeleveable. They didn't do a thing but Father R died in 1965 and think he may of stopped abuseing new guys.

Good luck on the trail, wish we could bring our old perps to the courts over here in the US. The law isn't behind us on that in most states.

Tom

Roy - I hope everything goes OK. I know how traumatic this can be, having been there myself. Just remember that people will be judging the perp, not you. The prosecution will have to do their job in a full trial, but remember that is not personal.

"If only I could have said something back then". Yes, me too, but I didn't have the capacity to do that. It took me from 1969 until Oct 2004 (35 years) before I spoke to the police and set a trail in motion. I still felt like a 12 year old then, going over everything again (even though I had tried to bury it). I then had to keeo it in my mind, as fresh as I could every day until the trial was over on March 17th 2006 (17 months). It was like another form of torture, so yes I can understand exactly how you feel.

Just remember, it is the perps that are in the wrong, not us. Stay strong, and good luck...Rik