Woman with 22 ‘identities’ gives evidence in NSW sex assault trial

A woman has changed personalities multiple times as she gives evidence as a witness during a child sexual assault trial.

A woman with 22 distinct personalities who was allegedly sexually abused by her father as a child transitioned into a five-year-old alter ego as she gave evidence at his trial.

An older personality of the woman, LN, told a jury on Monday she had no memory of her life until just before the age of 18, when she “solidified” her identity.

She claimed in court, however, that the “system members” who inhabit her body “tell the truth” and added she has “the physical and emotional proof of the childhood sexual assault”.

Her father, given the court pseudonym SN, has pleaded not guilty to 26 charges, including indecent assault and sexual intercourse without consent (DV).

A man, SN, faces charges of alleged abuse against his children.

The charges related to alleged offences against LN and her sibling over the course of seven years until 2016.

LN, the court has been told, has been diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder (DID) – a condition previously known as multiple personality disorder.

Defence barrister Garry Sundstrom has cross-examined LN for several days, with the witness switching between entities at various times.

The jury watched as the entity of a little girl, aged five, emerged on request from Mr Sundstrom after LN put on some headphones and listened to music.

She sucked on her pointer finger and clutched a stuffed bunny rabbit as she answered the lawyer’s questions in a childlike manner.

The court heard the five-year-old entity, who spoke in third person, told police she did not like “the tickling game” her father allegedly played with her.

“[I] say ‘no daddy no’,” she said.

The trial is being held before Newcastle District Court. Picture: AAP Image/Darren Pateman

Mr Sundstrom put to her she was asked by police what part of her father’s body touched her “wedgie”, and that she told them “daddy’s hand, daddy doodle”.

“Daddy did not touch” her “wedgie”, Mr Sundstrom put to her.

“[I] no lie, you lie,” she replied.

At one point, the entity acted out what her parents would do if she spoke about what allegedly happened to her by slamming the stuffed rabbit on the table: “bang, bang, bang”.

‘Amnesia barriers’

Earlier, before she transitioned, Mr Sundstrom showed LN a picture of a little girl at a birthday party, asking he she recognised it as herself, which she did not.

“Is there a front person for the fun times?” Mr Sundstrom asked, prompting the witness to start explaining how her system works with the help of paper cups.

“I think you’re a bit confused about a front entity,” LN replied.

“I think you’re thinking that there’s one main human and there’s multiple (entities) around and at times they change

“There’s never a middle person … there is all of us that at times will come in and out, depending on our role.”

LN said she could not answer questions about the photo “because it’s not me”.

The entity of the young girl held a stuffed toy in court.

“It looks like a photo. That’s all I can answer under oath, Garry. You can ask the system member if you know who it relates to.”

The ongoing questioning about this picture led LN to say: “You’re going to break down the amnesia barriers and you’re going to cause a lot of difficulties in this case”.

LN later said although she did not remember her youth she was “100 per cent” sure it was not an “amazing childhood”.

“You do not get DID by skipping through hearts, flowers and rainbows.”

‘We tell the truth’

Mr Sundstrom asked LN if she knew the number of charges her father faced or how many relate to her.

LN said she knew there was a “decent amount” but was unaware there were five counts in which she was the complainant “until you just told me”.

She said the system members, including her, “do nothing but tell the truth, Garry”.

“And we will die saying what our father did – no matter if it’s me or other system members – happened.”

Mr Sundstrom again put to LN that she was not aware of any of the alleged incidents.

“I have a diagnosis that proves I was sexually abused as a child,” she replied. “And I have genital damage.

“I have the physical and emotional proof of the childhood sexual assault.”

The trial before Judge Ian Bourke continues.