We Think So.
We have a question for you. Do you think trauma is a hidden “pandemic” in our world?
Well before you answer that question maybe we should review a few definitions. What is a pandemic? Well many of us know this word well with the presence of COVID19, and often think of it in relation to diseases that can spread through microorganisms. However, this word can be used in another sense meaning “widespread,” “universal,” and “prevalent globally.” Hold that in mind, you’ll need it later…
Now trauma, what does that mean? Is trauma a disease? Well, no, not in the traditional sense. However, one could argue that unresolved trauma has similar traits as a disease since disease can mean “any harmful, depraved, or morbid condition.” Unresolved trauma could even be said to cause a disorder in an organ (i.e. brain, vagus nerve, etc) leaving it, and the body functioning maladaptively—much like a disease caused by a microorganism would do. Trauma whether physical, sexual, verbal, spiritual, or emotional can have wide spread effects on the individual and the interactions that they have with others. Trauma isn’t just the overt violence of war, but in all honesty is anything that overwhelms an individual’s capacity to cope often imbuing a feeling of hopelessness. I know what you’re thinking, “that’s pretty subjective.” You’re right it is. This means trauma is a subjective experience accounting for the differing capacities we have as individuals—this is why two people can experience the same exact event and one walks out of it with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and the other does not. Ok, hold that in mind along with your understanding of pandemic from above…
Finally, hidden, what does it mean? In a sense it can mean “secret” or “veiled.” When the wounds of physical trauma heal this does not mean the psychological or emotional wounds have healed—and those are hidden from view. Some trauma only does its damaging work in the internal world of the person—therefore, their trauma is always “hidden,” and unfortunately their pain is much harder to justify to a world that demands physical evidence to “cut you some slack.” In intentional interpersonal trauma, it is the intention of the abuser to veil the abuse, and it is the burden of the abused to keep it a secret. Threats are made to ensure it’s a secret, and shame uses its choking grip to prevent the abused from unveiling it. This leaves some forms of trauma often underreported. So…
Considering all of those definitions plus the stats below…is trauma a hidden pandemic in our world?
We Think So.
Let’s take it out of hiding, bring it to the light, and let healing begin.
Some Informative Numbers:
Globally, it is estimated that up to 1 billion children aged 2-17 years, have experience physical, sexual, or emotional violence or neglect in the past year. (World Health Organization, 2020). That’s out of 2.2 billion children worldwide.
A study from the United Nations International Labour Organization estimated 3.8 million adults and 1 million children were victims of forced sexual exploitations in 2016 around the world.
By the end of 2019, 79.5 million individuals were forcibly displaced worldwide as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, or human rights violations. That was an increase of 8.7 million people over the previous year. (UNHCR, 2019)
It is estimated that 35% of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual violence at some point in their lives. However, some national studies show that up to 70% of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime. (UN Women, “Ending Violence Against Women,” 2019)
