Reclaiming "victim"
Jan. 11th, 2012 09:30 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
soniaOh, yes, I loved this! Via firecat.
Many people prefer the word “survivor” to “victim” because “survivor” feels strong and proactive. I understand that, as that is precisely how I felt for a long time also, but I am starting to think that we need to honor and embrace weakness, vulnerability, and passivity as well, or else we end up blaming and invalidating victims (including myself) who do not feel strong some or most of the times.
There is currently one excellent illustrative comment about being contradicted by her therapist when she stated she was a victim of childhood abuse.
firecat.Many people prefer the word “survivor” to “victim” because “survivor” feels strong and proactive. I understand that, as that is precisely how I felt for a long time also, but I am starting to think that we need to honor and embrace weakness, vulnerability, and passivity as well, or else we end up blaming and invalidating victims (including myself) who do not feel strong some or most of the times.
There is currently one excellent illustrative comment about being contradicted by her therapist when she stated she was a victim of childhood abuse.
no subject
Date: 2012-01-12 02:13 pm (UTC)and my therapist should really read it. Excellent stuff.no subject
Date: 2012-01-12 05:27 pm (UTC)