Organized and Ritual Violence in Germany Contexts of experiences of violence, psychological consequences and care situation

Abstract

Organized and Ritual Violence in Germany – Contexts, psychic effects, care situation Experts on, and victims of, organized and/or ritual violence have repeatedly bewailed the inadequacy of the care situation for people undergoing such experiences. Frequent psychic effects are complex posttraumatic and dissociative disorders, above all dissociative identity disorder. There is a general consensus that the latter condition is particularly difficult to get to grips with therapeutically. Despite numerous studies on sexualized violence, trauma sequels, and trauma therapy, we have very little in the way of empirical data on the incidence, the psychic effects, and the treatment of organized and ritual violence. The aim of this study is to undertake a scientific survey of the experiences victims have been through with a view to (a) achieving a better understanding of characteristic forms of violence and their effects and (b) improving care. Information on 165 self-defined victims of organized/ritual violence was collected via a detailed online questionnaire. The results of the survey indicate severe exposure to sexualized violence, psychic stress, and frequent recourse to therapy. Overall, the care situation is described as problematic, and there is evidence of ongoing experiences of violence at the hands of organized perpetrator groups. The findings from the online survey are discussed with reference to theories on psychotrauma, trauma-therapeutic approaches to treatment, and ethical implications.