Logical, psychological, metaphysical dimensions and layers of the truth : their impact on court cases

Abstract

How to prove a case of sexual abuse? It depends on what you mean by ‘prove!’ It is often difficult to find empirical proof; but if psychological ‘facts’ and metaphysical breaks are considered as well, another kind of proof can be discovered. In order to make them serve as a proof, we have to reveal the quality of these facts. Truth has different layers, which are mirrored by the layers of the human soul: truth can be found in bodily reality, in rationality and in our deep emotions. It reflects in our purposes, in what makes sense to us and in what is finally meaningful in our essential relationships (to ourselves, others, the surrounding world and God/meaning) and according to the main values, which constitute our dignity: freedom, love, truth and life as such. These values are questioned and even destroyed by severe boundary-crossing behaviour of all kinds. If the complex truth is respected, court cases gain other dimensions, which are of existential importance in dealing with cases of sex crime and other boundary-crossing behaviour.