Sexual Abuse & Abortion: A demonic attack on life

1. Sexual Abuse & Abortion:A demonic attack on life Taboo connection between Childhood sexual abuse and multiple Abortion. Anne Lastman BA Psy. BA Rel. Stds., Dip. Ed. (Sec), MA Theol Stds., MA Rel Ed., MACA (qual) FVC. Founder –Victims of abortion (Australia)

2. Being a Victim of Post Abortion Distress • Post Abortion Distress features: • Emotional Stress • Perception of abortion as a real loss • Conflict in her role as woman, mother • Values & relationships change as result of decision. (Speckhard & Rue 1992)

3. Post Abortion Syndrome • Some features: • Understood as a type of PTSD (delayed dev) • Flashbacks, nightmares, anniversary symptoms, suicide ideation, depression, loss of joy of life, constant sorrow and weeping (Speckhard & Rue 1992).

4. Post Abortion Psychosis • This is a very severe response to abortion and generally rare and is characterised by chronic & severe symptoms of disorganisation and significant personality and reality impairment including hallucinations, delusions and severe depression. (Speckhard & Rue 1992).

5. Primary Losses through PAS • Primary Loss.........................Foetal Child • Personal Assumptions. • Self Esteem, control, freedom, reverence for ones bodily integrity, loss of sense of peace, need to live with sense of being “not good person” (shame & guilt) • Rejection of future joyful intimacy with another. • Loss of sense of Sacredness of body and sexuality. • Loss of innocence. • Loss of sense of self as a good mother and nurturer • Loss of confidence in Medical profession.

6. Some similarities between S/A & PAS • Women who experience abortion exhibit a marked low sense of self worth. • Victims of sexual abuse struggle with marked low self esteem or self worth. • Poor body image. Poor self image. Poor sense of value. Alternatively narcissistic grandiosity.

7. Being A Victim of Sexual Abuse • Primary Losses: Innocence, Trust, Childhood. • Secondary Losses: Normal family life and future relationships • Joyful outward exploration and becoming introverted with a new sense of neediness. • Loss personal assumptions. • Loss of S.E., self trust, self confidence, loss of good judgements, loss of control, loss of freedom, reverence for own body.

8. Contrasts between S/A & Abortion • Populations different. • Abortion woman can now speak about abortion. • Sexual abuse victim lives in enforced silence because of either fear or threat or guilt. • Sexual encounter leading to conception (abortion) usually consensual. • Sexual abuse..child cannot ever freely consent

9. Continued....contrasts • Future sexuality of abortive woman may or may not be affected by her abortion. • Sexual dysfunction is always the “norm” in the life of sexually abused child/adult. • Women who speak about their abortion speak of “powerlessness” “Helplessness” “rage” “ambivalence” • A sexually abused person also speaks “powerlessness” “rage” Helplessness” “relentless loneliness” “ambivalence”.

10. Comparisons... • Both post abortive women and victims of sexual abuse experience relentless pain of the spirit. • An un nameable ache and emptiness which cannot be appeased. • Both post abortive women and victims of sexual abuse withdraw into their own hellish world.

11. Social Context of abortion & Sexual abuse • Social context of abortion is now wide. Society accepts abortion as a “right” and at times enshrined in law. • Abortion is now deeply rooted in society. • Social context of sexual abuse of child : Microscopic (usually familial-friendships or inner social circle). • Continued....

12. Social context continued.... • Abuse in childhood begins early and possibly escape is diminished because of the child’s dependency physically, psychologically, spiritually to his/her family for survival. • The incestuous family exists and operates within the normal milieu because of the universal taboo surrounding incest and so this ensures that abuse remains hidden. • Shame, fear, guilt ensures its silence. • Continued........

13. Social context continued...... • While abuse continues in a limited place/space the after effects are felt within society because victims take into their future adult life decisions made which are influenced by that abuse. • The victim takes depression, sexual dysfunctions leading to broken relationships/marriage, addictions, compulsive disorders, and an array of physical and emotional behaviours and pain.

14. Range of Reactions to Post Abortion Trauma. • Disquiet depression, guilt, shame, remorse, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, substance abuse, anxiety disorders, emotional withdrawal, relationship difficulties, memory loss, flashbacks, avoidance, tendency towards violence, frequent unexplained weeping, rage, suicide ideation (Selby 1990; Ney 1997; Peppers 1992; Miller 1992).

15. Range of Reactions to early childhood sexual abuse • Loss of trust, depression, guilt, shame, learned helplessness, neediness, powerlessness, uncontrolled weeping, sadness, loss of sense of pain (psychic numbing), loss of childhood, loss of boundaries for future safety and good judgement, self mutilation, confusion, isolation, betrayal, aversion to real intimacy leading to promiscuity, internal rage, distrust of family idea of family, males, loss of knowledge of security.

16. Conclusion.. • The reactions to the trauma of sexual abuse of child and elective abortion are myriad and the effects have capacity to produce significant disruption in the life of the victim of either trauma. These disruptions affect the continuity of day to day existence and occur in all areas of the victim’s life and functioning and belief about self and the world around her. • Availability and resources for treatment relating to PAS and SA trauma are still in early stages but are the most needed in our day and society.

17. Questions?