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Abuse-deniers Quote by Carolyn Spring

“It was that culture of denial that allowed my abuse to take place to start with. Did you know that it wasn't until 1984 that the Department of Health added the category of "sexual abuse" to its list of harms that can befall children? When I was being raped and made pregnant at the age of 11, it…” quote by Carolyn Spring
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““It was that culture of denial that allowed my abuse to take place to start with. Did you know that it wasn't until 1984 that the Department of Health added the category of "sexual abuse" to its list of harms that can befall children? When I was being raped and made pregnant at the age of 11, it wasn't just my own dissociative process that told me that it wasn't happening; it was society too. "We don't have a category for that. Computer says no."͏””

Carolyn Spring

About This Quote

Source Article: “The Hidden Harm of Denial”, 2022, journalism piece

Societal denial of abuse perpetuates harm; recognition and categorization are essential for protection.

In simple terms: Denial lets abuse continue.

Key Takeaway

Name and address hidden harms.

Themes

denial abuse societal neglect

Mood

empathetic urgent

Type

advocational reflective

When to use this quote

  • policy reform
  • education
  • support services
  • advocacy work

Key Concepts

psychology legal definitions child protection

Questions to Reflect On

  • What steps can individuals take to break denial?
  • How can institutions better classify emerging harms?
A Different Perspective

Changing language alone may not change attitudes.

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