Sexual trauma is a type of abuse that can have lasting effects on an individual's mental health, physical wellbeing, and social interactions. It occurs when someone experiences unwanted or forced sexual contact, including rape, childhood molestation, domestic violence, or incest. Survivors may suffer from anxiety, depression, PTSD, and low self-esteem, which can lead to difficulties in their daily lives.
The impact of sexual trauma goes beyond these emotional and psychological symptoms. It also affects survivors' moral reasoning, ethical decision-making, and relational judgment, making them feel isolated, ashamed, and guilty. This article will explore how sexual trauma can cause distorted perceptions of morality, compromise ethics, and impair interpersonal skills, leading to negative consequences for the survivor.
Let us consider how sexual trauma affects moral reasoning. Moral reasoning involves evaluating actions and decisions based on principles, values, and expectations. Victims of sexual assault often blame themselves for what happened, believing they could have prevented it or deserved it due to their appearance, behavior, or background. They may question their worthiness as a person and doubt their ability to make good choices. As a result, they may engage in risky behaviors such as substance use, unprotected sex, or promiscuity.
A woman who was sexually assaulted by her partner may start having casual encounters with strangers to prove that she is still attractive and desirable. She may justify this behavior as necessary to regain control over her body and identity. Similarly, a man who was abused as a child may engage in predatory acts towards children to relive his powerlessness and shame. These patterns can damage relationships and create conflicts, leading to further isolation and guilt.
Sexual trauma can also lead to changes in ethical decision-making. Survivors may become suspicious of others' intentions, assuming everyone wants to hurt them or take advantage of their vulnerability. They may struggle with trust issues, finding it hard to open up and form intimate connections with partners or friends. This skepticism leads to feelings of distrust, anxiety, and resentment, causing victims to retreat into themselves or lash out at those around them.
An adult survivor of incest might avoid family gatherings where the perpetrator will be present, fearing that he/she cannot trust anyone and that no one cares enough to protect him/her from harm.
Survivors may resort to lying, manipulation, or deceit to get what they need or want, believing these actions are justified due to past abuse. These tactics can damage personal integrity and create additional emotional turmoil.
Sexual trauma affects relational judgment. It creates negative self-perceptions, making survivors believe that they are unworthy of love and affection. As a result, they may doubt their ability to connect emotionally or physically with others, feeling fearful and detached. This disconnection leads to difficulties in establishing healthy boundaries, setting limits, and communicating needs and desires. Victims may also have difficulty forming new relationships, seeing potential partners as threatening or untrustworthy, leading to loneliness and isolation. Moreover, survivors may compare themselves negatively to others, blaming themselves for not being 'good' enough or attractive enough to keep someone interested. This low self-esteem can lead to unhealthy relationships, such as staying in abusive situations or engaging in coercive control.
Sexual trauma has far-reaching effects on moral reasoning, ethical decision-making, and relational judgment. It causes victims to feel ashamed, guilty, and afraid, distorting their perceptions of the world around them. They may struggle with trust issues, substance use, promiscuity, dishonesty, and self-hatred. Survivors need support from friends, family, and professionals to address these concerns and work towards healing and growth. By recognizing the impact of sexual trauma on an individual's life, we can help create a more compassionate and understanding society that supports all people's wellbeing and recovery.
In what ways does sexual trauma affect survivors' moral reasoning, ethical decision-making, and relational judgment?
Research indicates that sexual abuse can have a significant impact on an individual's moral reasoning, ethical decision-making, and relational judgement. The traumatic experience of sexual abuse may lead individuals to develop cognitive distortions such as hypervigilance, catastrophic thinking, and dissociation, which can interfere with their ability to process information objectively.