How Do Abuse Victims View Justice?

Judith Lewis Herman, M.D., is a psychiatrist and researcher whose work has profoundly influenced the field of trauma and recovery. With a career spanning several decades, she is celebrated for her contributions to understanding and treating trauma, particularly in the contexts of domestic violence and childhood sexual abuse.

Her seminal book, Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence—From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror, has become a cornerstone in the study of trauma and its impact on mental health, and is widely referenced among my colleagues as well as clients.

The author, Dr Judith Herman

Source: credit Bill Atkinson

As a clinician, as well as a survivor, her books have had a huge impact on my career and personal healing. As Herman is releasing a paperback version of her recent book, Truth and Repair, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to delve into the latest developments in her research and explore how her work continues to evolve in the context of treating trauma and supporting survivors in their recovery. In my conversation with her, we explored some of the reasons behind her career path, as well as her suggestions and insights for survivors along their healing journey and their quest for recognition and validation of their experiences.

Like many of us who treat victims of trauma, Herman began to see patterns emerging among those she treated. When discussing her early work doing group therapy with survivors of sexual violence, she found that they "got better when they disclosed their secrets and were met with understanding and respect." The simple act of believing them, and giving them a space to share their story, began their path for healing.

It’s remarkable to see how terms like "abuse" and "trauma" have become integral to everyday language, reflecting a growing acceptance and reduced stigma for survivors. As a millennial therapist working with survivors of relational trauma, and as someone who has navigated complex trauma personally, I feel privileged to be practicing at a time when conversations about trauma are more normalized than ever. This evolving dialogue not only enriches my work but also provides a supportive and validating environment for healing and understanding.

Source: Book cover for Dr Herman's recent book, courtesy of Dr Judith Herman

Many of us speculate about what it was like for clinicians who paved the way: those who treated trauma survivors at a time when conditions like PTSD were reserved for soldiers coming home from battle. It seems foreign to me to think about treating trauma survivors without the societal acceptance behind their experiences as even being traumatic. I often imagine those like Herman "fighting for a place at the table," so to speak, having to fight just to get their patients' experiences of sexual, psychological, and relational abuse recognized as even being traumatic.

I was surprised to learn that Herman never felt this way. In fact, she shared, "I never felt isolated because I was part of the women’s liberation movement and always had colleagues who were doing the work with me. Our ambition was to change both the theory of women’s psychology and the practice of psychotherapy."

And she did. In Truth and Repair, Herman explores the concept of tyranny as a form of power exercised without limits, which she contrasts with justice (Herman, 2023). "Tyranny is about dominance and subordination. That is true whether you are talking about the dictators who rule nations or the dictators that rule families," she explained. "Since justice is about fairness, you can’t have justice when one person is imposing his will on another."

In today's world, this concept sheds light on the challenges within our judicial system, particularly the court system, which often fails to protect survivors in the aftermath of abuse. Instead of safeguarding those who are vulnerable, the system can perpetuate the imbalance of power, favoring those with more resources or influence. As Herman addresses in her book, this systemic issue can leave survivors feeling further victimized, as the courts may prioritize the interests of those in power rather than ensuring a fair and supportive environment for those seeking justice (Herman, 2023).

As we continued our conversation, Herman discussed practical advice for survivors, particularly in relation to family dynamics.

"If family and friends are allied with the perpetrator, survivors need to find an alternative community," she advised.

In collaboration with Emily Schatzow, Herman co-authored a paper titled Breaking Secrecy: Adult Survivors Disclose to Their Families, offering guidance on preparing for disclosures to family members and addressing the potential outcomes of such disclosures (Schatzow & Herman, 1989). This is an important resource for those who support abuse victims in areas of disclosure and how family and relationship dynamics are impacted as a result of those disclosures.

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We concluded our conversation with a critical discussion on forgiveness. Herman echoed the words that I and many of our colleagues when she emphasized that forgiveness should not be imposed on survivors. "True forgiveness has to be earned through acknowledgment, apology, and amends. It is rare that an abuser will express true remorse. Fortunately, the survivor’s recovery is not contingent on what the abuser does or does not do," she stated. "We have no business urging forgiveness or any other course of action. The choice rests with the survivor."

Herman's insights continue to illuminate the path to healing, affirming the significance of understanding and addressing trauma in order to best support survivors. As her updated work reaches new audiences, her contributions remain a vital resource in the ongoing journey toward recovery and justice for survivors.

She claims that "suffering is not just an individual problem, but also a social problem," and I couldn't agree more. Her updated paperback of Truth and Repair is available on September 10th for those who want to learn more about how she views justice for those who have experienced trauma and abuse.