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Trauma Victim: Yes or No? Why It May Be Difficult to Answer Questions Regarding Violence, Sexual Abuse, and Other Traumatic Events

Siri Thoresen^* and Carolina verlien

Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: siri.thoresen{at}nkvts.unirand.no.

	Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the reasons why it may be difficult to answer questions regarding violence, sexual abuse, and other potentially traumatic events (PTEs). Qualitative and quantitative methods are used with a nonrepresentative community sample of 628 women who respond to a Web survey. Altogether, 65% do not find it difficult to answer any PTE questions. Difficulties in answering occur more frequently with violence and sexual abuse items and are associated with exposure. Reasons for difficulties in answering include "event fit" (severity, frequency, force), "me as a victim" (responsibility, reactions, protection, memory), and "you as abuser" (intention, protection).

First published on April 3, 2009, doi:10.1177/1077801209332182

Violence Against Women 2009;15:699.

A more recent version of this article appeared on June 1, 2009


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