Table of contents:
- Most of the victims of rape are unable to fight against the perpetrators
- Sudden paralysis is a common physical reaction in traumatic situations
- The danger of judging a victim who can't do anything about it
"If you really don't want to, why not just fight back?" These sharp words are often used by the general public to a victim and survivor of rape cases. Comments like this can arise because basically many people do not understand what happens in the mind and body of a victim when a rape occurs.
Before looking at this article further, it should be noted that the following article can trigger trauma for victims of sexual violence.
To understand why many rape victims are unable to fight back against their perpetrators and stop their attacks, read the full explanation below.
Most of the victims of rape are unable to fight against the perpetrators
The phenomenon of temporary paralysis that attacks victims of rape has been recorded since several decades ago. However, it is only recently that research into rape victims' reactions to these extreme situations has received more attention.
In a study in the journal Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica (AOGS) in 2017, experts noted that some 70 percent of rape victims experienced a sensation as if their entire body was paralyzed. As a result, they were unable to move, let alone against the perpetrators' attacks.
Sudden paralysis is a common physical reaction in traumatic situations
The sensation of temporary paralysis that occurs in victims of rape is known as "tonic immobility". This physical reaction is very similar to the reaction of a prey animal being attacked by a predator. These prey animals will usually remain motionless at all, so that predators who will ambush think that the animal they are targeting is dead.
Apparently, humans can also experience a similar reaction. In humans, victims who are attacked cannot scream for help, run away, let alone fight back against the perpetrator because they cannot move their entire body.
Remember, this does not mean that the victim allows the perpetrator to do heinous acts! The victim is so helpless that she loses control of her own body.
In fact, this reaction is quite common in various tense situations. For example, when a criminal suddenly points a gun at a person. Of course it's very difficult to immediately move and fight back against the robber, right? Most people would stand still in shock and fear. It's the same with a victim of rape.
When attacked, the victim will also try to empty his mind in his mind. This is done automatically so that later the victim will not remember the traumatic incident again.
The danger of judging a victim who can't do anything about it
According to dr. Anna Möller, a researcher at the Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm South General Hospital in Sweden, judged and blamed the victim for not fighting back at the very dangerous perpetrator.
This is because a number of studies have shown that victims of rape who at the time of the incident experienced temporary paralysis are more prone to experiencing PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and depression. This is because in their hearts, victims blame themselves for being powerless against the perpetrator's attack.
The victim's self-pressure is so great that it is psychologically disturbing and causes serious psychological trauma. Especially if you add comments from the wider community.
This will further hamper the recovery of the victim, both physically and spiritually. Therefore, it is better not to blame someone for not being able to fight against sexual offenders.
