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Originally Posted by Jim  My daughter is very upset over it. She agreed to write a sworn statement to the court of what went on. Other than that she wants no part of it. Her decision of course. However. We as parents still wish to be involved in the case. So. Question. Are we crossing a boundary of our daughters by being involved? All opinions welcome. She is 24 years old.
Jim. |
OUCH! This is difficult, Jim. I'm in the legal field, but not in your country, so I cannot comment about the laws you are dealing with.
The Catholic Church did the same thing in the USA, moving priests from parish to parish when the priests were caught molesting children. It temporarily saved face for the church, but it gave the predators a whole new crop of unsuspecting victims.
Personally, if parents came to me with such a case, I would talk to them sympathetically. But if the victim was not on board, I would not take the case. First, it would be virtually impossible to prove the case against him without her cooperation. Second, even if I could prove the case without her cooperation, if she is not ready to pursue the case against him, it could be damaging to her emotionally and I would want no part in that. I went into this profession to help people, not to harm them.
I fully understand your anger. If that was my situation, I'd have to work very hard at not shooting the SOB, honestly.
But ultimately, she was the victim. Yes, you feel victimized too, as you love her and you dealt with the fallout from the priest's crimes. But she was the victim. And ultimately, it is her needs that should be respected.
I would counsel you to take a back seat in this case. Let other victims pursue it.
Hugs,
Cowgirl