From Victim to Survivor: Understanding the Reflexive Positioning of Women Who Experienced Childhood Sexual Abuse on Their Journey to Recovery

Abstract

This is a qualitative study that examines the reflexive positioning and the corresponding social force of three women with childhood sexual abuse (CSA) experience. Although the journey towards recovery is highly individualized, participants’ narratives indicate six reflexive positions spread across three timeframes: 1) During and after CSA and revictimization: a) At Fault and b) Damaged; 2) During help-seeking and disclosure: c) Agentic and d) Having Worth; and 3) During Recovery up to the Present: e) Work in Progress and f) Advocate. The three participants show common storylines yet display nuances in their reflexive positioning. Results from this study underscore the dynamic process of positioning of self towards recovery from childhood sexual abuse. Reflexive positioning offers another perspective in understanding lifestories of women with CSA experience and their journey towards recovery. Moreover, being positioned in certain ways by caring-others has important implications in the shift from victim to survivor for women with CSA experience.



Author Information
Aileen Prochina-Mamahit, Southeast Asia Bible Seminary, Indonesia
Mira A. Ofreneo, Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines

Paper Information
Conference: ACP2019
Stream: Qualitative/Quantitative Research in any other area of Psychology

This paper is part of the ACP2019 Conference Proceedings (View)
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Posted by James Alexander Gordon