Buried abuse memory brought sisters' abuser to justice
Mellissa Arkwright could not remember the abuse she suffered as a child until she had taking therapy.
Nikita Dallison and Mellissa Arkwright, sisters, faced abuse from their half-brother Adrian Austin while they were young. Nikita, now 36, vividly remembers the abuse, while Mellissa, 35, had no recollection until she sought therapy. The turning point came when Nikita reported the abuse to the police in 2021. Following this, Mellissa decided to undergo EMDR therapy, which helped her retrieve a specific memory that ultimately led to Austin's conviction.
Austin, now 45, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for six counts of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13, four counts of indecent assault, and one count of indecency of a child between 1997 and 2001. The abuse began when Austin moved into the family home in Manchester at age 10, engaging in inappropriate behavior that escalated to rape.
After years of silence, Nikita reported the abuse, and Mellissa sought therapy to cope with her mental health. Detective Chief Inspector Chris Preston explained that EMDR therapy helped Mellissa retrieve a specific memory, which became crucial evidence in the trial. Mellissa waived her anonymity to share their story, and both sisters have waived their rights to remain anonymous.
Detective Constable Rebecca Lovekin praised the sisters for their courage and commitment to seeking justice.
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