Benches Quote by Gloria Steinem
“A lot of the people who are supposed to be enforcing the crime, enforcing the law, are also criminals. They've suppressed something in their childhood and they don't want to think they themselves were sexually abused as children or they are abusing their own children and they're sitting on a bench and they either can't admit it, won't admit it, depending on how deeply buried it is.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Feminist Perspectives, 1998
Abusers often hide trauma, leading to cycles of violence and denial.
In simple terms: Hidden trauma fuels abusive behavior.
Address underlying trauma to break abuse cycles.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- counseling
- child protection
- education
- support groups
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What interventions can reveal hidden trauma?
- How can societies support victims while addressing perpetrators?
Not all perpetrators are aware of their trauma.