A Description of Self-Silencing in Emerging Adult Women Survivors of Sexual Violence

Sexual violence against women remains a critical issue with far-reaching impacts on physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being. One significant response among survivors is self-silencing, defined as the suppression of thoughts, emotions, and personal experiences to maintain relationships and avoid social stigma. This study aims to explore the manifestations, contributing factors, and psychological dynamics of self-silencing among emerging adult women survivors of sexual violence. This qualitative study employed a case study design. Participants were emerging adult women who experienced sexual violence during late adolescence to early adulthood. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using an interactive model involving data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing using NVivo 12 Pro software. The findings reveal that self-silencing manifests in three forms: suppression of traumatic disclosure, self-neglect, and self-blame. These patterns are influenced by social stigma, cultural expectations of honor, victim-blaming attitudes, family pressure, and internalized moral-religious values. Although initially serving as a survival strategy, prolonged self-silencing contributes to emotional distress and delays recovery. These findings indicate that silence among survivors reflects a complex psychosocial and cultural adaptation rather than passivity.