The Victim's Burden: Guilt, Shame and Abuse

Abstract

In this article, three cases of sexual abuse are reviewed in the context of age, intensity and duration of the trauma. The questions explored concern the prognosis for positive therapeutic outcome. Crucial factors appear to include the meaning of the experience for the individual involved, the identity of the abuser and the level of autonomy exerted or regained in reworking memories or reframing the experience in the therapeutic setting. An examination of the literature on childhood trauma and sexual abuse provides a framework for the discussion of these cases. Hypnosis is found to be a valuable tool for helping the patient revivify the experience, replacing feelings of shame and guilt with a sense of efficacy and autonomy.