The Girl in the Green Dress

’I didn’t know that you’re only supposed to have one personality. I didn’t realise that having lots of voices in your head was abnormal. But you are protecting yourself. You are protecting your soul, and that’s what I did.’

An intelligent, poised woman, Jeni Haynes sat in court and listened as the man who had abused her from birth, a man who should have been her protector, a man who tortured and terrified her, was jailed for a non-parole period of 33 years. The man was her father.

The abuse that began when Jeni was only a baby is unimaginable to most. It was physically, psychologically and emotionally sadistic and never-ending. The fact she survived may be called a miracle by some - but the reality is, it is testament to the extraordinary strength of Jeni’s mind.

What saved her was the process of dissociation - Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) or Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) - a defence mechanism that saw Jeni create over 2500 separate personalities, or alters, who protected her as best they could from the trauma. This army of alters included four-year-old Symphony, teenage motorcycle-loving Muscles, elegant Linda, forthright Judas and eight-year-old Ricky.

With her army, the support of her psychiatrist Dr George Blair-West, and a police officer’s belief in her, Jeni fought to create a life for herself and bring her father to justice. In a history-making ruling, Jeni’s alters were empowered to give evidence in court. In speaking out, Jeni’s courage would see many understand MPD for the first time.

THE GIRL IN THE GREEN DRESS is an unforgettable memoir from a woman who refused to be silenced. Jeni Haynes is an inspiration and her bravery and determination to live is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. This is a unique and profoundly important book as it is not only a story of survival, it also includes incredible insight from Dr George Blair-West, Jeni’spsychiatrist and an expert in DID.

Jennifer Haynes (Author)
Dr Jennifer Haynes grew up in Greenacre in Sydney’s western suburbs. After enduring horrific abuse, Jeni fought for years to bring her father before the courts to face justice for what he had done. In doing so, she created legal history. Jeni spent 18 years at university, graduating with a degree in psychology, masters in legal studies and criminal justice as well as a PhD focusing on victims of crime. Jeni Haynes lives in Australia.

George Blair-West (Author)
Dr George Blair-West is a medical doctor specialising in psychiatry who gave up general psychiatry to sub-specialise in relationship therapy and dissociative trauma work twenty years ago. George’s writing career began 25 years ago with a series of scientific publications on suicide and depression while a Senior Lecturer with the University of Queensland. This work resulted in his admission to the New York Academy of Sciences in 1998. A variety of magazine, newspaper articles and books followed on a range of subjects including a bestseller in Australia on the psychology and sabotage of weight loss. The award-winning The Way of the Quest, an historical novel that explores how to find meaning and purpose in life, holds a special place for him as it underpins his therapy. His last book, How to Make the Biggest Decision of Your Life - Unlocking the Secrets to a Healthy Lasting Relationship, builds on his TED.com talk that has had 4 million views. He and his psychologist wife of 33 years, Penny, have two adult children and live in Brisbane, Australia.