The Supreme Court has backed the use of expert evidence on the behaviour of sexual abuse victims in two appeal decisions.
Both appeals related to the use of "counter-intuitive evidence", which is intended to correct wrong beliefs a jury might hold about the conduct of a complainant.
Psychologist Dr Suzanne Blackwell gave evidence at both trials on the counter-intuitive behaviour of some victims of sexual abuse, covering issues such as why they may delay report of abuse, deny it occurred, retract allegations, and continue to have contact with their abuser.
In one case, the appellant had sexually violated and assaulted his daughter on numerous occasions from the age of 11 to 15.
Under pressure from family, the girl retracted her complaint to police, and then withdrew her retraction.