‘Why me? Did I cause it?’: Sex assault survivors on grappling with abuse by family members
The police said in most rape cases, the offenders and victims know each other.
A Singapore advocacy group received complaints from family members who engaged in sexual abuse of their female relatives. The abuse involved persistent requests for massages, which eventually escalated into years-long assaults. Victims often questioned why the abuse occurred, if they had done anything to provoke it, and if they were to blame.
Experts, like AWARE's principal social worker Ruth Ng, explained that the abuse is often the result of coercive control, where the abuser gradually gains power and trust, making the victim feel afraid and dependent. This makes the victim hesitant to report the abuse, fearing further harm. The police data shows a rise in sexual assault cases, particularly those involving minors, with some offenders known to their victims.
Counsellors noted that victims might isolate themselves and experience post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms due to the betrayal and self-blame they face. Some victims reported their abusers' actions to family members who, instead of seeking help, chose to forgive them. Ng emphasized the importance of trauma-informed care services and support from witnesses in breaking the cycle of abuse.
Written by urgent.news from Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
