If the person accused of the crime has been found guilty and sentenced, you may see this as the end of your involvement in the criminal justice system. However, you may wish to be placed upon a victims register or make a submission to the State Parole Authority. The defence or the prosecution may appeal to a higher court.

The poems from “A Hand to Hold” give some perspectives from children who have been sexually assaulted and who have gone through the legal process.

People sometimes start, or go back, to see a counsellor at this time. Some people feel that their expectations of court have not been met. Others feel that they have had their lives “on hold” until court is over and think that they might benefit from talking this over with someone separate from their everyday lives.