heymammy.com

I just can't imagine how tough it's been for you.
I remember a radio interview once featuring Sarah Grace, a survivor of sexual assault, and a solicitor I think.
She wrote the book Ash and Salt and IIRC it's largely written to help other survivors, and especially through the legal process. It might be good for you and/or your DD to read - or at least parts of it as I'm not sure how much she goes into the assault she suffered herself. In the interview she talked very much about the flaws in our legal system and how important she felt it was to try and guide other victims through the process. https://obrien.ie/ash-salt

Would your daughter be more open to online counselling or phone services like Childline? Maybe its the face to face that she's not keen on. Just a thought.

Was thinking of this recently. It will take time, but she will be ok.

I'm so sorry your daughter went through such a horrific experience. It's every woman's and every parent's worst nightmare. I really hope that she gets the justice she deserves and that miserable excuse of a human rots in jail very soon. I also hope that she finds her way through this and can enjoy her life again.

Sweet divine Jesus, your poor daughter . What a horrific thing to happen to her and to you all by extension. I hadn't seen your post but my heart goes out to you and your daughter. I have a 17 year old daughter myself.
I hope she gets on well in school and in returning to her life. Don't give that bastard the chance to ruin it . Best wishes to you all making a new start and going into the new year

Thank you for the update. I feel like my words are wholly inadequate but so much to your daughter and you ❤

It was very thoughtful of you to update us. I'm glad that there are little steps forward and hope that keeps going. It sounds so tough for you both.

molls wrote: ↑Sat Aug 26, 2023 4:57 pm Thanks for thinking to update us. I hope the routine of school will help your daughter, and all the family, feel better.

I suspect that you are still, naturally, hyper-alert to your daughter's mood. That is an exhausting job, so I hope you have some outlets for yourself, be it counselling or an activity that just gives you a break.

Thank you
I have been to a counsellor , I found her very helpful, especially in how to speak to my daughter and how to react to her extreme highs and lows … and yes hyper- alert is a perfect way to describe how we are with her
Every day has been a learning experience, all we can do is love her and let her know we are here for her know matter what

Thanks for thinking to update us. I hope the routine of school will help your daughter, and all the family, feel better.

I suspect that you are still, naturally, hyper-alert to your daughter's mood. That is an exhausting job, so I hope you have some outlets for yourself, be it counselling or an activity that just gives you a break.

It’s been 10mths since my daughter was raped, she is doing ok, she is suffering from PTSD and has up and down days, her highs are very high ( hyper ) and her lows are awful, but she is so brave , she mentions the assault sometimes but not too often

She returned to school this week which is a huge step as she didn’t return after the assault, it was just too much, so she has missed a lot of school.

She has refused almost all counselling as she is not ready to talk about it to anyone ( except snippets to us )
Although TUSLA have offered various avenues to her, and those offers will be there for her if and when she’s ready

We are no further along with the case, but we do know that cases like this can take a long time to come to court, but the guards caught them, so it’s just a matter of waiting

Snapmaps proved where she was taken and a friend screenshot her position on the map as she was worried my daughter was no where near home and was worried , sometimes social media apps are worth their wait in gold.

So that’s it for now, thanks for all the replies on my original post, they helped a lot at a time when our world was falling apart.

Thinking of you all xx

Thinking of you and your dd.

Thinking of your daughter and your family and glad you managed a Christmas together x

Thanks for updating here. Well done on speaking to your brother, getting back to work and making Christmas happen. That's so much. We are all thinking of you and your daughter.

I’m not sure whats going on as I have no posts waiting for approval for your other thread. Glad to hear your DD is doing better and her tests were all clear.