Honey you and your sister are so very brave. I want you to think of this as an opportunity to take back your power. Finally, someone heard you and is doing something about it. This is not for you to fear but to rejoice. You can now say, without shame that this man hurt you and now the world knows what a perv he is. You and your sister have nothing to be ashmed of. You two were the victims, but now you have the power to put this man away for his crimes against you. Do not fear him or the courtroom anymore. Now is your time to show everyone there that, yes you were hurt by him but he has no power over you. I dont know if you believe in God hon but if you do just know that He is there for you.

Can't really give advice as I've not been to court yet to know what to expect. I just wanted to give you encouragement that you and your sister are so strong and you are doing the right thing. This person needs to be held accountable for his actions! I just said a prayer for you and your sister to give you strength as you deal with the upcoming court date and all the emotions surrounding the whole ordeal!

your doing the right thing, i've been to court i was 16 at the time and i didnt actually go into the court room i did mine via a video link. your so strong to have gotten this far. and am not going to tell u its fien because its hard. its probabl;y the second hardest (after telling ppl about it) that you'll do. but you can do it. you and your sister have doen nothing wrong at all. having the police say they have a strong case is good, just be honest thats all you can do. tell the truth. his side will ask questions that will try and make u out as liars but just stay strong hun. thats all you can do.
will b thinking of you. if u want to kno n e thing at all just ask n i'll try and help xxx

I laid hisorical sex abuse charges against my abuser but due to new legislation in NZ it means the victim does not necessarily need to be present at the trial as they ruled that this was too traumatic for a lot of victims.

We have a thing called a Victim Impact Report (VIR) where the victim writes how the abuse has effected their lives, emotionally , mentally, financially and this is presented and read out in court by the judge and bears weight on the sentence imposed on the offender.

A lot of courts have either screens that can be placed so that the victim cannot view the abuser and in the case of small children they often do a vid cam from another room (not so much for adults though).

Ask your attorney what options are available to you, also the courts clerk should have sent out some brochures and letter detailing the court processes and regulations.

But most importantly of all....remember this. Regardless of whether your abuser is found guilty or not guilty, you will still have the issues of your abuse left to deal with afterwards.

I went to court, but the bastard got off clean. It was my step-dad too. What they did to me was put me on the "chair" and ask me questions about the abuse. "Did he ever do...?" "What did he say to scare you and not make you tell?" "Why didn't you say anything?" Things like that. No evidence was ever put in front of me, mainly because all there was was a computer hard-drive with a bunch of child porn on there. I sat in front of him shaking and staring at the bastard while he smiled! It's scary, way scary. You won't ever imagine such a fear until you're up there. But hon, YOU ARE STRONG! You've gone this far, you WILL BE OKAY! Just answer everything truthfully and to the best of your ability. Don't let him get away with it. You let everyone know what a filthy dirty bastard he really is and you'll be fine. Don't let him get to you. I wish you the best of luck and if you ever need to talk, I'm here. Please let me know how it went. GOOD LUCK! STAY STRONG AND KICK HIS ASS IN THERE!

I've never had to do that but I will pray for you. Sorry about your awful ordeal.

You are very strong to do this.I know I was 12 when I had to go to court.I was going to have to go into the courtroom but his lawyer and everyone felt I had been through enough that I shouldn't have to go into the courtroom.He admitted to everything and then some.Sometimes I am angry that he didn't have to face me and know all the hurt he caused me.But then I am so thankful that my testimony outside of the court was enough.If you and your sister can see if you can get someone to be in the courtroom with you that you can focus on them instead of having to feel like you have to look at him.Don't let him intimidate you.That is what he wants.I am praying for you and please let me know how it goes.If you need to talk I am here just send me a message and if I am online click me to chat and I will help in any way I can.