Hilary McKean, a 60-year-old woman from Montana, has filed a lawsuit against her brother, Mark Hanson, the owner of Bricoleur Vineyards in Sonoma County, California, for allegedly raping and sexually assaulting her over a period of six years when they were younger in the 1970s. McKean recently recalled the instances of abuse, which occurred when she was between the ages of 8 and 14, after repressing the memories for many years.
California’s statute of limitations allows victims of sexual assault to bring cases to court within five years of realizing they were abused and suffered psychological damages. McKean is seeking unspecified damages for the struggles she has faced as a result of the alleged assaults, including developing depression and PTSD. She is also requesting a jury trial to address the matter.
According to McKean, the alleged abuse started when the family moved to a new house where she and her brother’s bedrooms were close together but far from their parent’s room. She accused Hanson of subjecting her to various forms of violent sexual abuse and rape, such as unwanted sexual intercourse, penetration, oral sex, forced masturbation, choking, and foot-fetish kinks against her will.
The repressed memories resurfaced for McKean in spring 2022 while she was writing a memoir. She emphasized the importance of speaking out about past traumas and noted the societal pressure to keep family secrets hidden. However, Hanson has denied the allegations and accused his sister of fabricating the claims in an attempt to extort money from him. His attorney stated that McKean had invented details to portray Hanson in a damaging way.
Hanson’s attorney has not been reachable for comment, and McKean encouraged individuals who have experienced sexual assault and need support to seek help. She highlighted the importance of discussing traumatic experiences openly and seeking help to overcome the impacts of abuse. The lawsuit is ongoing, and McKean is determined to hold her brother accountable for his alleged actions. Victims of sexual assault are encouraged to seek assistance from crisis hotlines for support and guidance.
