Citation

Lister ED. Am. J. Psychiatry 1982; 139(7): 872-876.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1982, American Psychiatric Association)

DOI

10.1176/ajp.139.7.872

PMID

7091403

Abstract

The author describes one specific facet of the psychological trauma attendant upon physical violence - the implications of the victim's forced silence about the event. This prohibition of communication, enforced by some implicit or explicit threat, constitutes a secondary trauma of enormous import and has been ignored in the literature. Exploration of this concept can sensitize therapists and point the way toward empathetic and effective intervention.

Language: en