“I’m Not a Good Victim”: Denial, Disbelief, and Betrayal: A Call to the Community to Accept Sexual Violence

Date of Award

Summer 8-23-2025

Document Type

Doctoral Research Paper

Degree Name

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology

Organizational Unit

Graduate School of Professional Psychology

First Advisor

Colby Rogers

Second Advisor

Kathryn Barrs

Third Advisor

Karmen Thulin

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved.

Keywords

Sexual violence, Rape myth acceptance, Just world hypothesis, Oppression

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to emphasize that sexual violence persists as a worldwide epidemic and enduring form of oppression as it is sustained by societal denial. The paper explores how this denial is supported by patriarchal and misogynistic structures by illuminating the psychological, cultural, and institutional mechanisms that enable the continued silencing of survivors. This paper includes an individual's personal experience of rape after years of professional expertise in the treatment of sexual violence. Despite this individual’s extensive knowledge and advocacy, they responded to their own victimization with denial, disbelief, and betrayal highlighting the powerful impact of patriarchal socialization. This paper requests that the reader engage in critical reflection on how deeply embedded the denial of sexual violence exists as a cultural force that sustains the epidemic of sexual violence.

Copyright Date

7-3-2025

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.

Rights Holder

Samantha Engelstad

Provenance

Received from author

File Format

application/pdf

Language

English (eng)

Extent

44 pgs

File Size

464 KB

This document is currently not available here.



Share

COinS