The National Violence Against Women Survey found that 18% of women reported experiencing a completed or attempted rape during their lifetime (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000). More than half (54%) of rape survivors who responded to the survey were younger than age 18 when they experienced their first attempted or completed rape. In this journal, the writer used qualitative study to recognize the psychological symptoms of rape trauma in Melinda, a major character in American Movie Speak. In addition, in the plot, she becomes a survivor that has been sex-assaulted.
Keywords:.
Rape-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD), Sexual Abuse, Trauma, Violence.
Introduction.
Trauma is defined as a psychological threat or assault to a child's physical integrity, sense of self, safety or survival or to the physical safety of another person significant to the child (Vermont, p 170). Meanwhile post traumatic stress in The Effects of Psychological Trauma on Children and Adolescents by Kathleen (2005), described as traumatic stress that persists after a traumatic incident has ended and continues to affect a child's capacity to function. Psychological trauma may occur during a single traumatic event (acute) or as a result of repeated (chronic) exposure to overwhelming stress (Terr, 1992). Effects of trauma is the disruption of the child's individuation and differentiation of a separate sense of self (Johnson, 1985). Vermon added that young trauma often come to believe there is something inherently wrong with them, that they are at fault, unlovable, hateful, helpless, and unworthy of protection and love. .
In this journal, trauma will be portrayed in the main character of "Speak" (2004), Melinda, starred by Kristen Stewart. The movie is based on the young adult novel by Laurie Halse Anderson. Briefly, the story is about Melinda who remained selectively mute because of her blurred trauma over the summer. She rarely speaks to anyone in her school because Melinda has chosen not to speak.