Avon Woman Assaulted By Uncle Awarded $10 Million

ST. CLOUD  (AP) -- A Minnesota woman who filed a civil lawsuit against an uncle who sexually assaulted her as a child has been awarded more than $10 million in damages.

A Stearns County jury made the award to Cathy Olson of Avon this week.

Olson says she's speaking publicly about the assault to help other victims and remind them they have a voice.

William Holden was convicted in 1986 of sexually assaulting the woman in Brainerd when she was under the age of 14. Holden was sent to prison and later released.

The woman's attorney, Michael Hall, said his client decided to sue Holden after her grandparents died in 2008. Holden was the executor of their will and he and Olson had renewed contact.

Holden's attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)