Thread by @MichaelGLFlood

The myth of survivor solidarity: Why it’s so hard for victim-survivors of violence to all just get along. By Louise Godbold @Godbold
culturico.com/2022/01/10/the… 1/4

For victim-survivors of violence who seek to stand together against injustice and abuse, the traumatising impacts of that violence can push them apart. Solidarity among survivors is valuable, but we must also understand how trauma makes it hard. 2/4

Trauma generates typical psychological and physical responses, conditioned responses, incuding: Emotional dysregulation. E.g., being quick to anger or offence. Dichotomous thinking. Enemy images. Empty frame of aggression. 3/4

Understanding these trauma responses is empowering. Victim-survivors can choose compassion for themselves and others. “When that happens, we are an unstoppable force […] And that should make the abusers and their enablers really nervous.” 4/4