Childhood sexual abuse allegation has rocked our family - what should we do? - AOL

A letter to AOL describes a family shaken by alleged childhood sexual abuse, involving a young woman and her older male cousin. The incidents are said to have occurred when she was six and he was 12, and then again eight years later. The story was shared with her parents this year, and then with the cousin and other relatives. The cousin says he cannot recall either incident. While the parents are concerned about whether he poses a risk to children, the young woman does not want an investigation and has so far declined counselling, though she has been encouraged to seek support. The cousin is receiving psychological support for mental health issues. Rachel Haynes of the Lucy Faithfull Foundation said safety—physical and emotional—should come first, at the survivor’s pace, and that families should avoid pressuring reporting.