Relationship between Empathy and the Recognition of Trauma

Relationship between Empathy and the Recognition of Trauma

Women who have experienced trauma constantly have a very difficult time being empathized with. People who cannot empathize with crime victims may be more likely to blame the victim and secondary victimization because they invalidate the trauma experienced instead of placing responsibility on the perpetrator. By putting ourselves in another person’s shoes, empathy allows us to connect with people even when we have not gone through the same thing ourselves. Seeing things from their perspective gives us a deeper understanding of their experience. If you can put yourself in the shoes of someone who’s been sexually harassed, they will feel more supported by you. Furthermore, empathy allows us to understand better how our actions might affect others. It might be harder to understand if we do not have empathy when somebody else has been traumatized. This can, unfortunately, result in Manner 2: thinking the victim is at fault or causing them further emotional damage (Bongiorno et al., 2019).

I agree that secondary victimization and increased victim blaming are often a result of reduced feelings of empathy. People who lack empathy are more likely to hold victims accountable for their traumas and less likely to sympathize with them. We see this often when examining cases involving women, as perpetrators often target them much more than any other group. An example would be if a woman who was raped or sexually assaulted was viewed more harshly than a man in the same position. The reason for this is typical because of pre-existing stereotypes and gender biases (Bongiorno et al., 2019). Empathy is understanding and sharing another person’s feelings or experiences. By developing empathy, we can become more aware of our biases and be more supportive of victims during their time of need.

The research conducted by Bongiorno and colleagues (2019) showed that empathy is crucial in comprehending and identifying trauma endured by victims. The authors found that people with less empathy for female victims are more likely to hold them responsible for their experiences. Alternatively, those with more empathy showed sympathy towards the females’ situation. In order to help trauma victims heal and prevent them from experiencing more pain, it is key to show empathy. Empathy not only creates a better understanding and connection between people but also an environment of support. This is especially important for trauma victims, as they can feel vulnerable and alone. Offering empathy to those who have experienced trauma can help them feel seen, heard, and validated in their experience.

In sum, it is imperative to possess empathy when attempting to understand the ramifications of trauma suffered by victims. A lack thereof can lead to increased victim blaming and secondary victimization, especially regarding female victims. By empathizing with others, we can begin to understand and appreciate their experiences, making it easier for us to be supportive and compassionate in times of difficulty.

Reference

Bongiorno, R., Langbroek, C., Bain, P. G., Ting, M., & Ryan, M. K. (2019). Why women are blamed for being sexually harassed: The effects of empathy for female victims and male perpetrators. Psychology of women quarterly, 44(1), 11–27. https://doi.org/10.1177/0361684319868730