Counterintuitive Victim Behavior

By Paige Bakman, LMFT, Psy.D.

Counterintuitive victim behavior refers to actions or reactions by victims of crimes, particularly sexual assault and domestic violence, that seem contradictory to common expectations. This phenomenon has gained attention with increased awareness of the psychological impacts of trauma. Studies from the 1970s and 1980s began to challenge common stereotypes of victim behavior, highlighting there are complex and variable psychological responses to trauma. Trauma can significantly alter a victim’s behavior, as Herman (1992) outlined, disrupting a person’s sense of control, connection, and meaning. This disruption can manifest in behaviors including delayed reporting, inconsistent recounting of events, and continued contact with the perpetrator.

Regarding delayed reporting of crimes, particularly in cases of sexual assault, Fisher et al. (2013) discussed how victims may delay reporting due to fear of not being believed, feelings of shame, or psychological denial of the traumatic event. This delay is rooted in the internalized guilt and societal stigma that victims face, making immediate reporting difficult. Inconsistent recounting of events is another type of counterintuitive behavior, often resulting from neuropsychological impacts of trauma. Van der Kolk (2014) explained that during a traumatic event, the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for rational thought, can be impaired, while the amygdala, which is responsible for emotional processing, becomes hyperactive. Consequently, this can lead to fragmented memories and disjointed or contradictory accounts of the event. Additionally, continued contact with the perpetrator can also seem counterintuitive but is explained by psychological phenomena such as Stockholm syndrome and traumatic bonding. Dutton and Painter (1993) discussed how strong emotional attachments between an abused person and their abuser can form through cycles of abuse and reconciliation, making it difficult for the victim to break free from the relationship.

Societal factors play a significant role in influencing victim behavior. Victims from communities with strong stigmatization of sexual assault may exhibit higher instances of counterintuitive behaviors, as noted by Heise et al. (2002). These behaviors include reluctance to report assaults, minimizing or denying the severity of the abuse, blaming themselves, and actions aimed at maintaining social harmony despite personal harm. For instance, some victims of domestic violence may defend their abusers or refuse help from authorities due to fear, manipulation, or a misguided belief that the abuser will change. Further, sexual abuse victims face long-term psychological and physical consequences, often avoiding help due to fear of disbelief or blame. Despite legal reforms and public education efforts, victims encounter significant obstacles in reporting assaults due to societal prejudices. Psychological trauma varies widely and is influenced by societal reactions, support networks, and the relationship to the assailant. Common physical reactions include aches, heart palpitations, and changes in sleep and appetite, while emotional responses range from shock and fear to mood swings and feelings of helplessness or shame.

Taking the above information and research into consideration, explaining the variability in victim responses involves considering factors like past experiences, developmental level, social support, and even intensity. Internal factors, such as self-perception and mental health history, and external factors, such as societal and cultural reactions, play crucial roles in how victims cope. Victims manage emotions through various coping strategies, either behaviorally (direct action or avoidance) or cognitively (reinterpreting the situation). Self-blame is common and associated with negative outcomes like depression and anxiety. Supportive social networks can aid in coping, but negative reactions to disclosure can be further traumatizing. Victims’ acknowledgment of the assault is crucial; those who do not label their experiences as rape often do not report it and may continue relationships with the perpetrator, leading to potential re-victimization.

Lastly, victims who report a higher personal impact are more likely to engage in restorative justice, while those perceiving the crime as violent are less willing. Batchelor (2023) explored the relationship between the severity of a crime and a victim’s willingness to engage in restorative justice practices and found no straightforward relationship between the two. Batchelor (2023) argued that restorative justice should focus on the victim’s experience and the crime’s impact rather than its perceived severity. Additionally, expert testimony can help counter rape myths, such as prejudicial, stereotyped, or false beliefs about rape, victims, and perpetrators. Expert testimony can help foster a more accurate understanding of victim behavior.

References

Batchelor, D. (2023). How crime severity predicts victim willingness to meet the offender. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 29(2), 169. https://doi.org/10.1037/law0000354

Dutton, D. G., & Painter, S. (1993). Emotional attachments in abusive relationships: A test of traumatic bonding theory. Violence and Victims, 8(2), 105. https://doi.org/10.1891/0886-6708.8.2.105

Fisher, B. S., Daigle, L. E., Cullen, F. T., & Turner, M. G. (2003). Reporting sexual victimization to the police and others: Results from a national-level study of college women. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 30(1), 6-38. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854802239161

Heise, L., Ellsberg, M., & Gottmoeller, M. (2002). A global overview of gender-based violence. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 78, S5-S14. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0020-7292(02)00038-3

Herman, J. L. (1992). Trauma and recovery: The aftermath of violence – from domestic abuse to political terror. Basic Books.

Jordan, J. (2004). Beyond belief? Police, rape and women’s credibility. Criminal Justice, 4(1), 29-59. https://doi.org/10.1177/1466802504042222

Van Der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking.