The revictimization of adult women with histories of childhood abuse

Abstract

Both clinical experience and recent research statistics support the observation that childhood abuse survivors are vulnerable to revictimization as adults. The responsibility for revictimization, such as physical or sexual assault, belongs to the perpetrators. However, the factors that make abuse survivors more vulnerable to exploitation need to be examined and understood in order to provide adequate treatment and protection. This discussion integrates an understanding of three powerful forces-the repetition compulsion, post-traumatic syndromes, and profound relational disturbances-that permit the process of revictimization to occur.