THE REACTIONS OF WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN ASSAULTED AND THEIR EFFORTS TO GAIN REDRESS - A CASE-STUDY

Women who are subjected to violence are affected by the traumatic even t but also by the resultant negative or positive social situations ari sing from the manner in which society works. The aim of this study was to investigate, against the background of a traumatic incident, the s ignificance of social events that occur after the act of violence itse lf. The picture of victimization and how it is experienced is complex. Two case studies illustrate the attempts of assaulted women to gain r edress, but they also show how this is made more difficult by secondar y traumatization. An analytical model gives some of the factors in the process of victimization. Assaulted women react to the assault on the basis of their current and previous life situation at the same time a s the extent of the assault and the relation of the victim to the atta cker are of importance. The representatives of society, volunteers and family and friends act in accordance with the ''status'' the victim h as been implicitly given, which affects the woman's autonomy and her o wn ability to act. Secondary traumatization caused by a negative attit ude from various actors in society makes the process of redress and a return to normal life more difficult.