El silencio en mujeres víctimas de agresión sexual: entre lo traumático y el Otro social.

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to analyze the repercussions of silence on women victims of sexual assault through the psychoanalytic theory, in order to shed light on the diverse forms that silence can take in their relationship with the Other in the social realm. The significance of this research lies in the fact that the majority of sexual abuse cases go unreported, indicating a silence among the victims. Additionally, Ecuador has an alarming incidence rate of this type of violence. This work was conducted using a qualitative approach, employing vignettes and clinical cases of women who were victims of sexual assault, showcasing various aspects of silence, particularly in relation to the Other. It is through this analysis that silence can be identified as a response to the Real of the trauma of abuse. However, there is also an influence of the social Other that plays a role in the silence of many victims. Social agreements perpetuate the notion that victims are responsible for their own abuse, leading to the subjective consequences in the choice of silence. Thus, the silence is emphasized not only as a defense mechanism but also as a reflection of a social world that does not believe in the victims.