Abuse Quote by Lundy Bancroft
“It is not possible to be truly balanced in one's views of an abuser and an abused woman. As Dr. Judith Herman explains eloquently in her masterwork Trauma and Recovery, “neutrality” actually serves the interests of the perpetrator much more than those of the victim and so is not neutral. Although an abuser prefers to have you wholeheartedly on his side, he will settle contentedly for your decision to take a middle stance. To him, that means you see the couple's problems as partly her fault and partly his fault, which means it isn't abuse.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Trauma and Recovery by Judith L. Herman, 1992
Neutrality in abuse cases protects the abuser because it obscures responsibility and minimizes victim harm.
In simple terms: Staying neutral helps the abuser.
Key Takeaway
Avoid taking a middle stance; side with the victim.
Themes
abuse
justice
victim advocacy
Mood
serious
empathetic
Type
ethical
advocacy
When to use this quote
- counseling sessions
- legal testimony
- support groups
- policy making
Key Concepts
power dynamics
ethical responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How does perceived neutrality affect victim trust?
- What policies can prevent false neutrality?
A Different Perspective
Neutrality can be misinterpreted as fairness, complicating interventions.
![“That worries me an awful lot. If people misunderstand our intentions [in Black Snake Moan], especially regarding my character, then they're essentially exploiting an already exploited and abused woman. So it's a huge concern for me.” quote by Christina Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d30/christina-ricci-2657_abused_that-worries-me-an-awful-lot-if-people-m_568178.jpg)
