Citation

Heney J, Kristiansen CM. Women Ther. 1998; 20(4): 29-44.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J015v20n04_03

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The prevalence of child abuse histories among incarcerated women has fundamental implications for understanding women's well-being during incarceration. This review of the literature on child sexual abuse and women in prison suggests that incarcerated survivors are likely to be frequently reexposed to the powerful traumatizing processes associated with their early abuse, including traumatic sexualization, powerlessness, stigmatization, and betrayal (Finkelhor & Browne, 1985). Reexposure to these traumagenic dynamics has the potential to trigger traumatic reJivings of imprisoned survivors' pasts, to which survivors respond with a variety of coping strategies often seen in prison, including substance abuse, violence, self-injury, and suicide. The implications of these dynamics and women's responses to them for those who work with incarcerated women, for prison policy, and for research are discussed. © 1997 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en