One of the hardest things a sexual assault victim can do is to relive the assault.

Recently, a young woman was confronted with that psychological trauma, at the criminal sentencing of the teacher who confessed to having sexually assaulted her.

At her side was her advocate and attorney, Charla Aldous, who represented the woman and her family in their civil fraud and gross negligence case against the Episcopal School of Dallas, which employed John Nathan Campbell. That trial resulted in a $9.3 million jury award against the school. Following the trial, Campbell pleaded guilty to the criminal charge of sexual assault of a child and was sentenced to 10 years’ probation, and is now required to register as a sex offender. The young woman appeared at Campbell's sentencing.

"When John Nathan Campbell walked in, her whole body started shaking," Ms. Aldous told reporters who covered the sentencing. "I told her she could do it – that she was a voice for other sexual abuse victims. And that it was very important for her to face him."

The Santa Rosa, Calif.-based Women’s Justice Center website offers the following thoughts on the value of a victim's testimony in court:

By its authority, the court in response to your testimony can deliver a strong public warning to all who would think to behave like this again, and a far-reaching message of hope for all who are still trapped in the wrongs of rape, domestic violence and child abuse. The courtroom isn't perfect yet, especially for victims of violence against women and children. But remember, thousands of women and children before you, by their own willingness to testify against this violence, have strengthened the courtroom stage for you.

While court testimony can’t erase the memory of the assault, at least it empowers victims to begin to set things right.