rape therapy notes

Hazel Behan Joins Campaign Against Use of Therapy Notes in Rape Trials

By Marie O’Nealle

Dublin, Ireland  – Hazel Behan, a survivor of sexual assault who alleges she was raped by Christian Brückner, the main suspect in the Madeleine McCann case, has joined a growing campaign against the use of therapy notes as evidence in rape trials. Behan, alongside other survivors and advocacy groups, has condemned the practice, describing it as an invasion of privacy that retraumatizes victims and discourages them from seeking support.

Behan has been vocal about her experience, arguing that therapy sessions should remain a confidential space for survivors to process their trauma. She believes that allowing therapy notes to be scrutinized in court places an unfair burden on victims, subjecting them to further distress and public scrutiny.

“The use of therapy records in trials is humiliating and degrading,” Behan said in a statement. “Survivors turn to therapy to heal, not to have their most personal thoughts dissected in a courtroom.”

The campaign against this legal practice has gained traction among women's rights organizations and legal advocates, who argue that such policies deter survivors from reporting sexual violence. Research has shown that many victims hesitate to seek counseling out of fear that their private reflections could later be used against them in legal proceedings.

Supporters of the campaign are calling for legislative changes to prohibit the use of therapy notes in court unless there is overwhelming justification. They argue that cross-examinations should focus on the accused's actions rather than scrutinizing the mental health and recovery journey of survivors.

The case of Christian Brückner, a convicted sex offender currently under investigation for multiple offenses, has kept Behan’s story in the public eye. Her decision to speak out adds to the pressure on lawmakers to reevaluate the legal system’s treatment of rape survivors.

As the campaign gains momentum, advocacy groups are urging government officials to prioritize trauma-informed justice and respect the privacy of survivors. Behan and other activists continue to fight for a system that upholds justice without compromising the dignity of those who have suffered sexual violence.