The Entangled Web: Trauma, Assault and Harassment

 By Abraham Favour Olohigbe 

Assault! A seven-letter word that might seem harmless, even almost pleasant to the ears, if not for the weight of its meaning. Then there’s harassment that stands in comparison with assault. Above or below assault? If words had families, these two would undoubtedly be siblings. And lastly, trauma, the likely aftermath of these two on their victims. These terms often intertwine, making it hard to distinguish between where one ends and the other begins.

To be assaulted does not always involve physical contact. It can include physical harm or threats of harm. It is the deliberate infliction of fear or terror on another person. For an act to qualify as assault, it must be intentional. Simple actions like raising a fist at someone or spitting on them could be considered assault.

Harassment, on the other hand, involves verbal or physical behaviour that offends, humiliates, or intimidates someone. This could manifest in-jokes, derogatory remarks, unwanted invitations, persistent requests, or physical contact like patting, touching, or pinching.

Both assault and harassment, if not addressed promptly, can lead to trauma. Continuous harassment may result in mental and emotional distress, while assault survivors often struggle with trauma due to the violation they’ve endured. The relationship between trauma, assault, and harassment is deeply intertwined. Assault and harassment are not isolated events; they can leave lasting psychological scars, which end in trauma. Harassment, through repeated verbal, emotional, or physical violations, chips away at a person’s sense of safety and self-worth, while assault, often more direct and violent, inflicts both physical and emotional wounds. Trauma is the common thread that brings these experiences together. For many victims, the boundary between harassment and assault disappears, as the victim can’t pinpoint where one ended and the other started.

As a young girl or woman, uncertain about whether you’re being harassed or assaulted, speak out. Do not cower in fear or remain silent, as silence can be dangerous. Avoid the source of harassment or assault if possible and report the incident to a trusted authority. If someone touches you inappropriately, don’t smile or downplay it as "nice". Firmly express your discomfort, if you cannot speak out immediately, try your best to leave the environment.

If you’re experiencing trauma from past incidents, please seek help. Reach out to a psychologist or contact mental health organisations. Your mental health matters and you deserve to heal and be mentally alright.

Addressing assault, harassment, and trauma requires courage and support. Our environment may not be a safe space for victims to speak out and seek help, but a victim should speak to the right person. It’ll be lovely to have an awareness program to enlighten ourselves and others to work toward creating a world where these injustices are not only addressed but uprooted from their roots. We need a world where we can stand together to protect and empower one another.