Court Opinion

ID: 9718225
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 07:19:17.585806+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:23:58.052844
License: Public Domain

*283LARSEN, Justice,
concurring.
While I agree with the result reached by the majority in this case, I write separately to emphasize further that enactment of this statute was specifically intended to abrogate the effects of the majority opinion in In the Matter of Pittsburgh Action Against Rape, 494 Pa. 15, 428 A.2d 126 (1981) (“PAAR”). A majority of this Court in PAAR rejected the claim that an absolute privilege existed for all communications between rape crisis center personnel and rape victims. Instead, the majority held that records of a rape victim’s statements to rape crisis counselors may be subpoenaed and disclosed at trial. Id., 494 Pa. at 26-28, 428 A.2d at 131-132.
In my dissent in PAAR, I vigorously advocated expanding the common law to recognize an absolute testimonial privilege for all communications between rape victims and rape crisis center counselors. I pointed out that a victim of rape “suffers an invasion of her bodily privacy in an intensely personal and unsettling manner, triggering a number of emotional and psychological reactions running the gamut from shock, fear, distrust and anger to guilt, shame and disgust.” Id., 494 Pa. at 38, 428 A.2d at 138 (Larsen, J., dissenting). I stated that the term “rape trauma syndrome” has evolved to encompass this recurring pattern of post-rape symptoms that is essentially unique to the rape victim.
I further stressed that the need for and benefits of counseling for a rape victim are extraordinary, and the most accessible counseling for a rape victim is the rape crisis counselor. Without doubt, I stated, confidentiality is essential to the relationship between the rape victim and rape crisis counselor because it encourages victims to seek treatment and helps victims realize the full benefit of the psychotherapeutic relationship. In conclusion, I appealed to the legislature “to take cognizance of the rape victim’s plight and to act promptly and compassionately in legislatively enacting a rape victim/rape crisis counselor testimoni*284al privilege.” Id., 494 Pa. at 62-63, 428 A.2d at 150 (Larsen, J., dissenting).
The legislature was quick to respond. Within a year, the legislature had enacted the statute at issue, which created such a testimonial privilege.1 In a statement made part of the legislative record, State Representative John Alden essentially adopted my dissent in PAAR and revealed that the intent of the statute was to reverse the effects of PAAR. Statement of Representative Alden, 1981 Pa.Legislative Journal — House, pp. 1738-39, (October 14, 1981). Thus, the legislature was absolutely clear in its intent to undo the disastrous effects of the majority decision in PAAR by adopting my dissent, and therefore, the only plausible interpretation of this statute is that it provides an absolute testimonial privilege for confidential communications between rape victims and their rape crisis counselors.
PAPADAKOS, J., joins in this concurring opinion.

. History of Senate Bills and Resolutions, Sessions of 1981 and 1982 (Final Issue).