The Abuse of Trauma and Traumatic Experiences
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Abstract
This article analyzes a number of traumatic events and the way in which victims have responded to these events and their interpretation by third parties, which may seriously hamper the way victims understand and process their experiences. These interpretations may affect and even complicate the work of rescue-workers and other caregivers, counselors, and therapists long after the event. Insofar as these interpretations are deliberate, one could consider them a form of abuse. Victims are not able to relate to the catastrophic course of events as they themselves have experienced them, which would explain why victims are often so upset about what happened. It makes processing their experiences difficult; it also interferes with coming to terms with the losses sustained and even postpones healing. Counselors and therapists should take possible manipulations of traumatic events by third parties into consideration as they council with the victims. Acknowledgment of the experiences of the victims is essential to heal.