Abstract
This study aims to explore how individuals with affiliation to spirituality and victimization attribute sexual trauma and revictimization to spiritual principles and its perceived impact on victim assistance. A phenomenological research was conducted with 36 participants divided into three groups: female survivors who turned to spirituality as part of their recovery process (n = 17), spiritually oriented therapists who treat survivors (n = 10), and spiritual leaders and teachers who are often consulted by survivors and their close ones (n = 9). Findings show three prominent themes: (a) ephemeral and eternal components of existence; (b) learning a lesson; and (c) Tikkun Olam (Hebrew: world’s repairment). The findings contribute theoretical and practical applications: they offer deep insights into the spiritual reason for revictimization and its cessation, and suggest innovative external explanations anchored in ancient knowledge that can alleviate survivors’ suffering from self-blame. The study lays the foundation for an upcoming theory entitled Spiritual Victimology.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1343-1361 |
Number of pages | 19 |
Journal | International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology |
Volume | 67 |
Issue number | 13-14 |
Early online date | 22 Apr 2023 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2023 |
Keywords
- ptsd
- revictimization
- sexual trauma
- spirituality
- victim assistance
- victimology
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine
- Applied Psychology