[HD7970GHZ]

Hi community,

I wanted to ask everyone where they stand on the topic of pursuing justice in order to heal...

I read an excellent book recently, "Trauma and Recovery" : The aftermath of Violence - From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror. (By Judith Herman, M.D.)

On Page 208 it says...

"... Survivors may focus their energies on helping others who have been similarly victimized, on educational, legal, or political efforts to prevent others from being victimized in the future, or on attempts to bring offenders to justice. Common to all these efforts is a dedication to raising public awareness. Survivors understand full well that the natural human response to horrible events is to put them out of mind. They may have done this themselves in the past. Survivors also understand that those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it. It is for this reason that public truth-telling is the common denominator of all social action.... ...Survivors undertake to speak about the unspeakable in public in the belief that this will help others. In so doing, they feel connected to a power larger than themselves..."

What do you all think of that? Have you pursued justice? Is it too triggering? Too scary? Seems futile?

Thanks,
HD7970ghz

[magicalprince]

I think it is a really meaningful way to work through and transcend personal pain. As long as the desire is justice, and not revenge, or to change the past.

[reb569]

The one person who I could confront who abused me (that is still alive, or who I haven't already confronted) would undoubtedly deny what happened and would then proceed to trash talk me to everyone in the area. He's a vindictive man. I will never confront him. He actually is my neighbor.

I do think for some people though that this is a way to confront the past and help with healing. I just isn't going to work for me because of my particular situation.

[Carmina]

Oh yes I have done this my whole life

[Fuzzybear]

(((((((( hugs ))))))))

Thanks for this post (I haven’t read the book but would like to)

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by HD7970GHZ

Hi community,

I wanted to ask everyone where they stand on the topic of pursuing justice in order to heal...

I read an excellent book recently, "Trauma and Recovery" : The aftermath of Violence - From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror. (By Judith Herman, M.D.)

On Page 208 it says...

"... Survivors may focus their energies on helping others who have been similarly victimized, on educational, legal, or political efforts to prevent others from being victimized in the future, or on attempts to bring offenders to justice. Common to all these efforts is a dedication to raising public awareness. Survivors understand full well that the natural human response to horrible events is to put them out of mind. They may have done this themselves in the past. Survivors also understand that those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it. It is for this reason that public truth-telling is the common denominator of all social action.... ...Survivors undertake to speak about the unspeakable in public in the belief that this will help others. In so doing, they feel connected to a power larger than themselves..."

What do you all think of that? Have you pursued justice? Is it too triggering? Too scary? Seems futile?

Thanks,
HD7970ghz

I think it's a great idea to be an advocate for issues that have traumatized a person if that person is ready. After Dad's suicide I walked in an "Out of the Darkness" Suicide prevention walk, 12 mos. later. It was too soon and I haven't been back. But I will at some point. Maybe getting too involved too soon can cause more harm than good. I also at some point to be an advocate for women veterans with sexual assault in the Military. Also to support other Veterans. But the time has to right.