The Voice of the Oppressed: Trauma Beyond the Incident

Have you ever paused to think about the oppressed individuals we encounter in everyday life not only through headlines, but through silence? This reflection sheds light on the respect, empathy, and understanding these individuals truly deserve.

Recently, the media reported a case involving a well-known actress who survived a sexual assault in a public place. The incident led to widespread speculation, arrests, and intense public scrutiny. After eight long years, the court delivered its verdict, acquitting the accused actor of involvement in the case. Public reactions were divided. Some believed justice was not served. Others doubted the survivor’s allegations, while certain groups openly opposed her. But in my opinion, justice was not denied because someone was acquitted. Justice failed because of how a woman a daughter, an actress, a human being was treated after she raised her voice against the violence inflicted upon her.

The disrespect she endured after revealing her identity to society was deeply unsettling. Instead of compassion, she was met with suspicion. Instead of support, she faced judgment. This response itself became another form of trauma.

I found myself thinking about the emotional wounds she must have carried through these years. The fear, the anxiety, the nightmares, the panic attacks emotions that often remain unseen. People casually refer to her as a “survivor,” but reaching that point requires immense strength. As a public figure, how many social spaces might she have avoided? How many times did she suppress her pain to appear strong in front of cameras? How many coping mechanisms did she have to learn just to continue living her life?

What troubles me most is how little attention is paid to her mental health during and after those eight years. The relentless intrusion of media into her personal life, the rumors, the narratives created for attention these only deepen the wounds of an already traumatic experience.

I felt deeply disturbed by this news. I still wish for the oppressed woman in this case and countless others to continue raising their voices against the performative sympathy often displayed by media outlets. Behind the noise, there is a human being whose pain deserves respect, not exploitation.

Today, a person’s right to privacy and dignity seems increasingly controlled by social media narratives. People trust what appears on their screens, while the reality behind them remains invisible. The truth is that what happens behind these screens the suffering, the healing, the silent battles often goes unnoticed.

Oppression does not end with the incident itself. It continues through words, public opinion, and societal behavior. Victims of physical, sexual, emotional abuse, war, and injustice are often re-oppressed not by reliving the event, but by how society responds to their pain. Such public judgment only creates space for more harm, allowing the cycle of oppression to repeat itself. To break these barriers, silence must be replaced with courage. The oppressed should never be forced into quietness. Their voice should become the voice of the world.

Education plays a vital role in this change. Teaching children about boundaries, consent, and empowering them to speak up against harm must begin at the root. Emotional wellbeing and mental health should be addressed with the same seriousness as physical health. Those who spread rumors or seek attention at the cost of someone else’s suffering must be challenged by voices that stand for justice and empathy.

Human beings possess an incredible capacity for resilience. To recognize this strength, we must learn to understand our emotions, become aware of our thoughts, and speak up for our needs. Trauma can break a person physically and emotionally, but healing is possible. With the guidance of a compassionate therapist, wounds can be addressed and gradually healed. Recovery may be a long and difficult process, but patience, trust, and support can help individuals reclaim their lives.

Healing is not a weakness. Speaking up is not a crime. And respecting the voice of the oppressed is not optional it is our responsibility.

- Arunima Manoharan

MSc Forensic Psychology, MSc Clinical Psychology, BSc Psychology, BPS accredited, GMBPS and IOATH certified