Experts: Scars remain deep for rape and incest victims

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PETALING JAYA: Besides suffering the physical trauma and stigma of rape and incest, survivors also face severe psychological damage. “Rape cases not only see the survivors experiencing the trauma of being on the receiving end of such crimes but also the stigma that comes with being a victim.

“Permanent psychological damage would result for survivors of both rape and incest,” said Suriana Welfare Society chairman Dr James Nayagam.

“This causes them to be treated as a condemned person rather than being supported through such a harrowing experience,” said James, who has worked with abused children for the past 40 years.

This can lower the victims’ esteem and self-worth and eventually make them withdraw from society, possibly with suicidal thoughts also arising.

For incest victims, it would be extremely difficult for them to trust others as they were violated by their own family members.

“What makes it worse is that the victim has nowhere to go because the perpetrator is living in the same home,” he said.

There could also be unwanted pregnancies, said James, adding that he has personally helped a 14-year-old who had three abortions in one year due to such despicable acts.

He noted that the only way for victims to overcome the trauma was through psychological treatment.

It takes time to help them because counselling sessions can also open a can of worms, James said.

“Over time, the pain disappears but the scars will remain,” he said, adding that society should help empower and support the victims rather than reject them.

Perpetrators should also be subjected to mandatory counselling besides serving their punishments, he said.

“Punishment alone may not deter the perpetrator from continuing to commit such crimes.

“Therefore, counselling sessions and psychological treatments can help the person. Detention centres must also have trained professionals to counsel the perpetrators,” he said.

Malaysian Mental Health Association president Professor Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj said no rape survivors would escape long-term psychological trauma, which can range from persistent depression and anxiety to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“Long-term therapy is also required in most cases, and although some may appear to recover after short-term intervention, they remain psychologically vulnerable throughout their lives,” he said when contacted.

He added that rape survivors also have higher suicidal tendencies along with alcohol and substance abuse when compared to other psychologically traumatised groups.

“Undoubtedly, their quality of life is affected as they are unable to sustain healthy interpersonal relationships with others,” he said.

Dr Andrew stressed that rape is one of the most heinous crimes that could ever be committed, and heavy punishments should be meted out regardless of the psychological state of the perpetrator.

“It is a sheer display of power and brutality rather than sexual satisfaction,” he said.

“In most cases, psychological therapy for offenders does not have the desired effect as it is related to the personality of the person rather than a severe mental disorder.”