Remembering episodes of sexual violence: the impact of post-traumatic stress on evidence

An article by CSEL's Amina Memon in the Fahamu Refugee Legal Aid newsletter (now Rights in Exile).

Memon, A. (2012). Remembering episodes of sexual violence: the impact of post-traumatic stress on evidence [newsletter article]. Retrieved from http://rightsinexile.tumblr.com/post/34698036558/r...

CSEL trustee Amina Memon uses the Furundzija case(1) as an insight into the relationship between law and psychology. Research developments around Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) challenge the claim in this case that the credibility of witness evidence is compromised by PSTD. The article highlights the distinction between the reliability (accuracy) of a witness account and its credibility (whether it is true or not) and stresses the need for awareness of the complexity around determining the reliability of the memory of a witness with PTSD.

(1) http://www.icty.org/x/file/Legal Library/jud_sup...