The phenomenon of psychic amazement

The topic of sexual violence is nothing to celebrate, but in a period following the "#MeAlso" phenomenon, more liberated speech is lifting the veil on all sorts of preconceived notions. Thus, works of fiction have transmitted to us the image that a victim of assault or rape will struggle, scream and show her disagreement. However, the reality could not be further from it according to scientific research.

A huge part of the victims, as this Le Monde report shows, undergoes psychic sideration. That is to say, the context is so psychically and psychologically violent that the higher brain functions that allow to react do not receive any signal. Only the section governing fear acts.

For that matter, the production of cortisol (stress hormone) is so strong that the brain has to shut off this feeling in order not to become intoxicated. As a result, people experience dissociation as if the situation is not real or they feel like they are seeing it from the outside.

Both of these phenomena contribute to the fact that few victims file complaints out of shame at having to answer the question, "But why didn't you do something?" When the guilt should instead go to those who commit these criminal acts.

Time: 8min15

Photo: Melanie Wasser on Unsplash