^*An “enlightened witness” can play a similar role in adult life to that of a “helping witness” in the early years. I use this term to refer to a person who is aware of the consequences of neglect and cruelty in childhood. This enables the witness to provide support for individuals harmed in this way by displaying empathy for them and helping them to understand their confused and confusing feelings of anxiety and powerlessness as a product of their own early biographies. This makes it easier for them to identify the options available to them as adults (see also Banished Knowledge).