Psychological Retraumatization of Torture Victims in the Trial Process

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Psychological Retraumatization of Torture Victimsin the Trial Process



Youngshin Kang* & Hyeji Lee**

Abstract: This study was to explore the psychological retraumatization of victims of political violence. Three participants were personally interviewed, and a focused group interview was conducted. According to qualitative analysis, all the interviews were recorded and analyzed categorically for the traumatic experiences. The findings revealed difficulties of the participants in emotional, cognitive, and social domains. Emotional issues included the difficulty in anger control, sense of alienation and isolation from families and so on. Cognitive issues were related to sense of betrayal with wrong social stigma formulated in the trial process. Social difficulties were mainly struggles with family members. Victims who suffered political violence such as torture need self-help groups to share similar experiences with for ultimate recovery and healing. Helping torture victims should not only include legal aspects but also expand the assistance to many layers of advocacy in order to prevent any further retraumatization for already trauma victims.


Key Words: Political Violence, Torture Victim, Trial Process, Retraumatization







































□ Received: Feb. 7, 2024, Revised: Feb. 18, 2024, Accepted: Feb. 28, 2024＊ First Author, Professor, Chonnaam National Univ., Email: [e-mail]** Corresponding Author, Lecturer, Ph.D., Chonnam National Univ., Email: [e-mail]

참고문헌 (Reference)

1 Brodaty, H., "Vulnerability to posttraumatic stress disorder and psychological morbidity in aged Holocaust survivors" 19 (19): 969-979, 2004

2 van der Kolk, B. A., "Traumatic stress: The effects of overwhelming experience on mind, body and society" Guilford 182-213, 1997

3 Hárdi, L., "The trauma of torture and the rehabilitation of torture survivors" 219 (219): 133-142, 2011

4 Punamaki, R., "The role of peritraumatic dissociation and gender in the association between trauma and mental health in a Palestinian community sample" 162 (162): 545-551, 2005

5 Silove, D., "The psychosocial effects of torture, mass human rights violations, and refugee trauma: Toward an integrated conceptual framework" 187 (187): 200-207, 1999

6 World Medical Association, "The World Medical Association Declaration of Tokyo. Guidelines for physicians concerning torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in relation to detention and imprisonment"

7 Ephraim, D., "Rorschach Trauma Assessment of Survivors of Torture and State Violence" 25 (25): 58-76, 2002

8 Kirmayer, L. J., "Rethinking Historical Trauma" 51 (51): 299-319, 2014

9 Pope, K. S., "Responding to victims of torture : Clinical issues, professional responsibilities, and useful resources" 22 (22): 269-276, 1991

10 Park, J., "Report on the Trauma Status of State Violence Victims" Ministry of Welfare and Health and Gwangju Metropolitan City 2013

11 Arcel, L. T., "Reparation for victims of torture : Some definitions and questions" 10 (10): 89-91, 2000

12 홍성흡, "Recent Tendency in the Study of State Violence and Exploration of Its New Direction" 7 (7): 5-28, 2007

13 Sveaass, N., "Psychological aspects of human rights violations : the importance of justice and reconciliation" 69 (69): 35-52, 2000

14 Timerman, J., "Prisoner without a name, cell without a number" Vintage 1981

15 Kang, Y. J., "Past Liquidation and Healing Center for National Violence" 20 (20): 109-139, 2010

16 de Jong, J. T. V. M., "Lifetime events and posttraumatic stress disorder in 4 postconflict settings" 286 (286): 555-562, 2001

17 Bitman, S. J., "Help Unchain People with Mental Illness in Cambodia"

18 Afana, A., "Endurance Is to Be Shown at the First Blow : Social Representations and Reactions to Traumatic Experiences in the Gaza Strip" 16 (16): 73-84, 2010

19 American Psychiatric Association, "Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders" American Psychiatric Association 2013

20 Kim, S. H., "Criticism on the Trial of the Past History for Aid and Compensation of Torture Victims -Based on Recent Precedents Change-" 2015

21 Herman, J. L., "Complex PTSD : A syndrome in survivors of prolonged and repeated trauma" 5 (5): 377-391, 1992

22 Mpande, E., "Community Intervention During Ongoing Political Violence : What is Possible? What Works?" 19 (19): 196-208, 2013

23 Rauchfleish, V., "Allegenwartder Gewalt [The omnipresence of violence]" Vandenhoek & Ruprecht 1996

24 Kuch, K., "Absent dose-response in the posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms of 350 Holocaust survivors" 50 (50): 125-126, 2005