Learning a Lesson: Spiritual Attributions of Sexual Trauma and Revictimization

Sharon Eytan, Natti Ronel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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 languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1343-1361
Number of pages19
JournalInternational Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology
Volume67
Issue number13-14
Early online date22 Apr 2023
DOIs
StatePublished - 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

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