Allison Keating answers your questions about life and relationships
As a parent, there is a balance between respecting their autonomy and protecting their safety and well-being. Photo: Getty
Ask: My 17-year-old daughter told me that she was sexually assaulted by a friend of a friend during a night out. She is convinced that she does not want to involve us (her parents) in any way and that she is absolutely not going to file a complaint.
She refuses to talk about it and doesn't want counseling or other support. She was very upset when she told us the morning after: they had all had a lot to drink, which I didn't comment on at the time, and she didn't tell us exactly what had happened.