BLOG: Brave women and girls make us proud

STRONG, courageous women.

That was how Judge Irene Lawson described the survivors of sex predator Ricky Dave McLennan in the County Court this week.

Strong women who stood up to a man who stole their youth – who knew the only way to seek justice was to speak out about crimes for which they felt deep humiliation and hurt.

Strong women, indeed.

They survived sexual assault – as young girls who were scared, manipulated and trusting of someone their senior.

The balance of power was never equal.

And now they have survived the harrowing court process, a process that often leads to post-traumatic stress; that causes victims to recount horrific memories; that brings with it a fear of a not-guilty verdict.

A process that takes great courage.

According to Loddon Campaspe Centre Against Sexual Assault chief executive Eileen Oates, women’s responses to sexual and/or physical assault are individual, and not all take their attacker to court.

CASA saw 839 clients during the last financial year.

“For some, the court process is very important,’’ she says.

“It is an opportunity to have the ability to tell their story and be believed and have a sense there is justice. But for others, it’s not something they naturally seek to do.’’

Eileen says speaking publicly about an intensely personal and difficult time often leads to post traumatic stress disorder.

“Seeing or hearing about the experience of the assault they had is a trigger for post traumatic stress,’’ she says.

“It takes a lot of courage to be able to participate in the court process as well as make such profound statements about a very personal and destructive experience in their lives.

“Hearing a recount of the episode and the reasons of what happened could have an impact on their current health and episode of post traumatic stress. It doesn’t go away when the court case is over.’’

According to CASA, trauma can lead to many things – intrusive memories and flashbacks, shock, problems trusting others, anger, shame, depression, fear, helplessness, sadness, a need to be alone, feelings of guilt and difficulty with sleep.

For the women who this week made victim impact statements to the court about Ricky McLennan, living with the consequences of trauma will be a lifelong battle.

But we as a community should thank them for all they have done to put this man off the streets.

While we can never take away what happened to them as young teenage girls, our job is to now support them in moving forward. To make them feel proud of what they have done, not only for themselves but for the protection of others.

Members of the jury did this in believing their stories. The judge will do the same tomorrow in handing down McLennan’s sentence. Now it’s our job to ensure the women involved feel secure and safe in their community, free of judgment, of whispers and any further pain.

And it’s up to us be aware of predators such as McLennan.

CASA says that most sexual assaults are premeditated and well planned, sex offenders come from all social backgrounds and age groups and are usually men who are known and trusted.

The organisation’s website says family and friends should listen carefully to people who have experienced assault, spend time with them, offer assistance and a listening ear even if the person has not asked for help, reassure them they are safe, help with everyday tasks like cleaning, cooking, caring for the family, minding children, giving them private time and not taking anger or other feelings personally.

To the survivors of Ricky McLennan, we know this week has been among the toughest throughout the ordeal and we applaud you. You are no longer victims, you now have the power.