Out of the shadows

Victims can become offenders and that is how I dealt with

most offenders particularly in the later years, as victims.

Yes, they did horrific things but why? I do not think I ever came across

an offender who woke up one day and did something bad

without warning or a backstory. What makes someone who

seems ‘normal’ smash a broken glass into someone’s face

disfiguring them and have constant Police attention for

family violence and suicide attempts.

So many reasons people do things. What makes someone

smash a hammer into someone’s skull, stab their partner

multiple times, and stab a stranger in the head? They may

have experienced domestic abuse, child abuse – or both,

including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.

Victims of abuse are more likely to suffer from mental health issues.

Research worldwide also shows that victims of childhood

abuse are more likely to end up in abusive relationships

and be victims of more crime, which can exacerbate or even

cause mental illness. Studies show in fact, that depression

is a strong predictor for excessive drinking. And those who

drink too much are also more likely to become depressed.

Mental illness and substance abuse often go hand in hand.

There is an important caveat to note here. People who are

mentally unwell are actually far more likely to be victims

of crime rather than perpetrators. There is a tremendous

misconception that mentally ill people are responsible for

significant crimes. It is a stereotype, a scapegoat, and a

stigmatisation that they do not deserve.

For those victims who experience abuse or neglect at a

young age, the consequences can manifest as not only

behavioural issues but physical changes, etched onto a

victim’s biology. This can be seen on brain scans. One

change is a smaller hippocampus on the left side of the

brain, an area that helps people respond to stress.

Another change of chronic childhood abuse is a smaller amygdala,

an area important for emotions and decisions, such as

processing fear. Essentially the moving parts of a child’s

growing brain are broken at a time when the brain is

rapidly developing and learning complex social skills and

behaviours. When those key developmental stages are

disrupted, important skills may not develop properly.

Furthermore, shame is related to an avoidant coping

style, as the person who is shame-prone will be motivated

to avoid thoughts and situations that elicit this painful

emotional state.

A victim who is experiencing avoidant symptoms may be likely to make inaccurate or uninformed decisions regarding potential danger because of the fact that the trauma has been denied, minimized, or otherwise

not fully integrated (Noll et al., 2003) · They tend to have

alcohol and drug problems. Former victims often numb

their re-experiencing symptoms with alcohol and drug

use, which can serve to impair judgment and defensive

strategies (Noll et al, 2003).

According to research, former victims of child sexual abuse

are about four times more likely to develop symptoms of

drug abuse, and adolescents who have been sexually abused

were two to three times more likely to have alcohol use/

dependence problems than non-victims. Former victims

are often unable to stand up for themselves and adequately

protect themselves from the dangers all around them. That

is why it is important to get support and not judge each

other.