VILE ABUSE
My dad was a sadistic, violent monster – I developed over 2,000 different personalities to cope, it’s an army of helpers
Keep reading for information on how to report child abuse
A WOMAN who suffered horrific abuse by the hands of her own father has revealed how she survived her traumatic childhood.
Jeni Haynes, who hails from the UK but now lives in Australia, shared how she developed more than 2,500 personalities to cope with her father's vile abuse that took place over countless years.
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Jeni has opened up to on how her Dissociative Identity Disorder saved her and got her father convicted of abuse.
She said: "My dad inflicted, chose to inflict severe, sadistic, violent abuse that was completely unavoidable, unescapable and life-threatening.
"And he did this, he chose to do this everyday of my entire childhood."
Jeni made sure her father, Richard Haynes, faced justice in court for repeatedly raping and abusing her as a young girl, reports the .
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And while Jeni was the only woman in the witness stand that day - the court heard testimonies from six different people.
To cope with the horror of her life, Jeni's mind came up with an extraordinary way to protect her - creating new identities for her to detach from the pain.
The abuse she suffered was so extreme that Jeni says she developed more than 2,500 personalities to cope - including a four-year-old girl called Symphony.
My dad's abuse was calculated and it was planned. It was deliberate and he enjoyed every minute of it.
Jeni Haynes
It's believed to be the first case in the world where a victim with diagnosed Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) - or Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) - has testified in their other personalities and secured a conviction.
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"We weren't scared. We had waited such a long time to tell everyone exactly what he did to us and now he couldn't shut us up," she said.
Speaking to the Australian TV show, Jeni, now a doctor and author, revealed her father was 'vile' and she made an 'army' of personalities to protect herself and get him convicted for his monstrous crimes.
Everyone thought I was living the dream as a famous actress – but in reality I was trapped in an abusive cult
Jeni and her family moved from Bexleyheath in London to Australia when she was just four, but her father's abuse had already begun.
The brave woman waived her anonymity rights, as a victim of abuse, so her father could be identified.
"My dad's abuse was calculated and it was planned. It was deliberate and he enjoyed every minute of it," Jeni told the court in a victim impact statement.
Jeni was also denied medical care for her injuries from beatings and sexual abuse, which have developed into serious lifelong conditions.
How to get help
If you suspect a child is being abused or are seeking help for child abuse in the UK, there are several organisations and resources available:
- NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children):
- Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (for adults concerned about a child)
- Website:
- You can also report concerns online or seek advice through their website.
- Childline:
- Helpline: 0800 1111 (for children and young people)
- Website:
- Offers a confidential service for children and young people to discuss any problems they may be facing.
- Local Authority Children's Services:
- You can contact your local council's children's services department. They have a duty to investigate concerns about child abuse and provide support.
- Police:
- In an emergency, always call 999.
- For non-emergencies, you can contact your local police on 101 to report concerns.
- Barnardo's:
- Website:
- Provides support and services for children, young people and families affected by abuse.
- The Lucy Faithfull Foundation:
- Website:
- Offers support and advice for preventing child sexual abuse.
- Victim Support:
- Helpline: 08 08 16 89 111
- Website:
- Provides emotional and practical support for victims of crime, including child abuse.
- The Samaritans:
- Helpline: 116 123
- Website:
- Offers confidential support for anyone in distress, 24 hours a day.
It’s important to take action if you suspect a child is being abused. These organisations can provide guidance on what steps to take and offer the necessary support.
Now aged 54, Jeni has irreparable damage to her eyesight, jaw, bowel, anus and coccyx. These have required extensive surgeries including a colostomy operation in 2011.
The abuse would continue until Jeni was 11, when the family moved back to the UK. Her parents divorced shortly after, in 1984. She believes no-one, not even her mother, was aware of what she was going through.
Jeni first created Symphony, a four-year-old girl who, she says, exists in her own time reality.
She told the BBC he was in fact abusing Symphony when he was abusing her.
But then Symphony also created personalities to help her cope with the abuse - thousands of them.
Jeni has revealed that there is one called Muscles - a teenager styled like Billy Idol. He is tall and wears clothes which show off his strong arms. He's calm and protective.
Volcano, who is very tall and strong, and clad from top to toe in black leather. He has bleached blond hair.
Jeni was allowed to testify in court as Symphony as well as five other personalities sharing the different types of abuse she endured - and finally, ten years after reporting the crimes got to see justice be served.
Richard Haynes pleaded guilty to more than two dozen child sexual abuse charges
Jeni sat metres away from her father in court to see him sentenced to 45 years. Haynes, who is suffering from poor health, will serve at least 33 years before he is eligible for parole.
The clip was shared on 60 Minute Australia's TikTok account and was watched by more than 2 million people.
People were moved by Jeni's story, which left them heartbroken for her.
One person wrote: "God bless you Jeni."
Another commented: "You are an amazing survivor Jeni. I wish you all the best in your life."
"Her brain was the only one trying to protect her," penned a third.
Meanwhile a fourth said: "It’s amazing how the brain tries to protect you as much as it can."
"The poor poor woman. We truly failed her,” claimed a fifth.
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Someone else added: “People need to understand this is real and more than life-impacting. These dear folks need support and understanding all their lives."
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