I gave evidence while he watched me

Dear Delyara, The man who assaulted me was a senior colleague. For two years, I avoided the legal process because I could not imagine speaking while he sat in the same courtroom. A support officer arranged a visit beforehand, screens, separate entrances, and breaks during testimony. My solicitor practiced questions with me until the facts no longer disappeared each time fear rose. Today, I gave evidence for three hours. I heard his barrister suggest I had misunderstood, exaggerated, and waited too long to report. I answered without arguing beyond the question. Once, my voice stopped. The judge allowed a break, and I returned. He was convicted. Outside, reporters asked whether I felt justice had been done. I said nothing. The victory was not a dramatic feeling after the verdict. It was knowing that the official record now contains my account in my own words, spoken while the person who relied on my silence remained in the room and could not remove them.