The accused, a man referred to as SN, has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexually abusing his two children over a seven year period ending in 2016.

One of the alleged victims, a woman named as LN, and diagnosed with “DID”, began giving evidence, switching between different identities – or “system members” as she prefers to call them – while on the stand.

Re-sworn as Teenage Girl

LN was sworn in as herself before transitioning into a 13 year old girl within 15 minutes of taking the stand. Her voice, tone, and demeanour shifted markedly, prompting Judge Ian Bourke to treat the new identity as a separate witness, requiring her to take a fresh oath.

“Her internal system has around 20 system members, or different identities, who are known as alters, some of whom will give the evidence in this trial” noted the Crown Prosecutor.

Expert Witnesses

DID, formerly known as multiple personality disorder, is central to this trial. Expert opinions presented during the trial diverged significantly:

Dr George Blair-West, a psychiatrist specializing in trauma and DID, testified that the disorder is not a mental illness, but a sophisticated psychological defense mechanism developed to cope with “betrayal trauma,” where caregivers are the perpetrators of abuse.

Professor Dianna Kenny, a psychologist, disagreed, describing DID as one of the most severe forms of mental illness.

The trial is ongoing.

Conclusion

Allowing “system members” to give evidence raises questions about credibility, reliability, and the treatment of such witnesses.

 The trial represents uncharted territory for Australia’s legal system, pushing boundaries on how courts handle complex psychological conditions. The case could set a precedent for future proceedings involving trauma related disorders and their role in trials.

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