The conflict between the will to deny horrible events and the will to proclaim them aloud is the central dialectic of psychological trauma.
Judith Lewis HermanRead
The legal system is designed to protect men from the superior power of the state but not to protect women or children from the superior power of men. It therefore provides strong guarantees for the rights of the accused but essentially no guarantees for the rights of the victim. If one set out by design to devise a system for provoking intrusive post-traumatic symptoms, one could not do better than a court of law.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The legal system often fails to protect marginalized groups from male dominance and can exacerbate trauma for victims.
Judith Lewis Herman critiques the legal system, arguing that while it is structured to safeguard individuals against state power, it inadequately defends women and children from male violence. The system's focus on the rights of the accused often comes at the expense of victims, creating an environment that can worsen their trauma rather than provide justice or healing.
Themes
Legal SystemVictimsJusticeTraumaMenWomenChildrenRights
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on gender-based violence and legal protections at a conference.
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