By Oumou Diakité
When a child who has been sexually assaulted speaks out and their testimony is minimized, discredited, or silenced, it is not simply a matter of individual lack of recognition.
It is a collective failure. Silencing victims’ voices amounts to denying the seriousness of the violence they endure, fostering impunity for perpetrators, and perpetuating a culture of silence that hinders justice and prevention.
Furthermore, within this silence lies a kind of role reversal syndrome where the victim excuses the perpetrator and downplays the event. Jeanette’s testimony is proof of this.
Double Victimization
The first danger of silencing is the revictimization of the child. Already scarred by the act of assault, they must then confront the indifference or mistrust of those around them and the institutions meant to protect them. This rejection exacerbates their feelings of powerlessness and isolation.
In Jeanette’s case, her mother’s refusal to believe these sexual incidents instilled in her the belief that the situation was reasonable.
Not being believed or having her suffering minimized reinforces toxic defense mechanisms: some victims internalize the guilt of the act they endured, believing that their word is worthless or that they deserved what happened to them. At the time of the abuse, the person develops a physical distancing to avoid repeatedly experiencing the pain.
Others develop a generalized distrust of adults, particularly men, including those who genuinely try to help them. Fortunately, Jeanette’s father figure was a symbol of love and parental reconciliation.
Studies conducted by the Quebec National Institute of Public Health (INSPQ) also show that children who are victims of sexual assault are more prone to developing anxiety disorders, major depression, and suicidal tendencies.
Being forced into silence directly contributes to these long-term psychological consequences.
Don’t be complicit in the silence
The silence of children who are victims of sexual abuse is often maintained by deeply ingrained social mechanisms. Fear of scandal, the impunity of abusers, discomfort with the potential repercussions of the child’s testimony, and the suffering of the entire family unit. But everyone has a role to play. It is crucial to create an environment where children feel safe to speak out, to train education and healthcare professionals to better identify and address reports, and to reform legal procedures to better accommodate the testimony of minors.
Progress has been made. The establishment of Adult Mental Health Access Points (in Quebec, MASMA and GASMA) facilitates the referral of victims to appropriate services. New laws on sexual offenses aim to improve the protection of minors. The International Bureau for Children’s Rights has developed an investigation and testimony method adapted to the child’s age.
In short, to break the cycle of silence, we must be able to recognize, listen, and act. These three imperatives ensure that these children are never again forced into silence. The responsibility is collective. And the urgency is absolute.
Photo, top: Caleb Woods on Unsplash
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