“I remember”, “I thought”, “I know I didn't say”: Silence and memory in trauma narratives

Abstract

Society's interest in sexual abuse waxes and wanes in ways that mirror the fluidity of memory narrated by trauma survivors. Although a great deal of research explores memory processes, including the neurophysiology of trauma, little considers the ways in which disclosure delays and socio-cultural pressures for silence appear in narratives of childhood sexual abuse survivors. This qualitative study examines the narratives of four female survivors and illustrates the importance of listening with an ear towards the various layers of silence held within them. The analysis draws attention to the potential limitations of memory research, including the importance of considering relational aspects when examining trauma narratives.