Family in Denial of Molestation

[texasmom817]

Five years ago my 12 yr old nephew molested my 5 yr old son on a couple of occasions. Once we found out we pressed charges, he was prosecuted and spent 2 yrs in TYC. My son received the best counseling available within our insurance group and my husband and I have not seen any signs of distress. He is not 10 and doing well. This whole issue has caused great divide within my family as my mother and father as well as my sister just want it to "go away". Once my nephew got out of jail, they all thought everything would go back to normal, but my nephew is not allowed to be around my son nor do I want him to be. He is now a grown man, 18 yrs old and has not turned out to be a responsible person. On August 29th my father died, the boys grandfather. We had a celebration of life for him that I coordinated and at a later date will have a military funeral service as he donated his body to a medical school. I asked my sister to not bring him as my 10 yr old little boy would be there. She obliged reluctantly and now I am receiving  emails and messages from my extended family saying I was wrong. I really don't care what they say as I feel I am protecting my son. He is still a little boy and facing his perpetrator could be a bit tramatic for him. I am just curious what a professional thinks.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

You did what you thought was the correct thing to do. At the same time, it's not reasonable to expect that others in the family will necessarily agree with you. There is room in such situations for differing opinions and, unfortumately, the legacy in many families where abuse has occurred is a permanent rift within the family. Hopefull yhtere can be some healing of this rift in your family. Give credit to your sister for honoring your wish.

[texasmom817]

Thanks Kevin for your response. I do appreciate my sister for honoring my wish. Sometimes I just find myself wondering if I am over reacting and then I shake myself out of it and realize I am doing what I have to for my little boy. This is a trend within my dad's side of the family and I do not want it to coninue within my family. Holding my nephew responsible and showing my son it is not acceptable is very important. As well as the mental health of my son. Thanks again.