Thread by @drlouisehansen

A brilliant clinical psychologist once said two things contribute to trauma: 1. The survivor feels a sense of “I’m different/not the same” following the traumatic event. 2. The survivor did not receive empathy or compassion. 1/13 #March4Justice #Auspol

I will never forget the clinical psychologist shared a perfect example of two vastly different potentially traumatic events to illustrate the devastating impact of stigma:

1. A ‘natural disaster’.
2. ‘Being raped’. 2/13

A natural disaster includes the possible threat to life, homes, belongings, injuries, loss of loved ones. A rape includes the possible threat to life, survival, violation, contamination of self, identity, unwanted STDs or pregnancy, physical damage, fear of repeated abuse. 3/13

The clinical psychology noted there is no stigma associated with a natural disaster. Therefore, these survivors rarely have trauma. What normally happens is the community come together transparently, help each other and share empathy and compassion. 4/13

However, there is stigma associated with being raped. A survivor not only has potential trauma from being raped; they are stigmatised. Often a survivor does feel a sense of “I’m different/not the same” and no empathy or compassion is provided (e.g. if it’s a secret). 5/13

Some survivors of rape are kicked out of their group (i.e. their family, work environment, an entire community) if the group does not believe them or deliberately denies the truth; they face the original traumatic event, feeling “different/not the same”, and social death. 6/13

Therefore, the type of trauma can dictate what a survivor experiences and how they believe they are different from others. Trauma that generates shame from stigma will often lead to survivors feeling more alienated from others—believing that they are “damaged goods.” 7/13

Partners, family, friends, the media and the government can help break the “stigma” for trauma survivors by: believing them; listening and allowing them the opportunity to talk about the event in their own time and in their own way; 8/13

not judging them; spending time with them; allowing them some private time; reassuring them they are now safe (if they are); allowing them the opportunity to express their feelings; 9/13

not saying things such as ‘lucky it wasn’t worse’, or ‘she is a lying cow’ or the alleged perpetrator is an ‘innocent man’; not doing things like taking the alleged perpetrator’s sides or rejecting valid requests for independent inquiries. 10/13

Unlike a natural disaster, a survivor of rape can face the trauma of being raped and it’s stigma in the form of silence, shame, rejection or social death. It is not hard then to understand how their trauma might endure and why some might even decide to take their life. 11/13

Anyone can break the stigma for a survivor of rape or any other trauma that is stigmatised. If you find yourself privileged enough to be trusted to hear a survivor’s story, then listen to them with empathy and compassion and gently remind them that they are always “whole”. 12/13

Let’s #March4Justiceau:

Kindness.
Common humanity.
Mindfulness. 13/13