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The 17 years old Grace was sentenced for two years in prison on the charge of self-defense which causes death. She felt her life was free from
the problem by having killed her father, the man who had raped her for four years. She only had finished dealing with someone who had raped her. But
she had to deal with the effects that have been caused by the sexual abused.
4.2 Psychological Impact of Sexual Abuse
People who had experienced the profound trauma of childhood sexual abuse are at much greater risk of experiencing various developmental challenges, mental
and physical health problems, and familial or social problems-in-living. Given that such abuse is most typically repeatedly perpetrated by a father on a daughter between
the ages of 5 and 15, it is difficult to imagine how such horrific childhood experiences could result in anything but the direst consequences over the course of a
victim’s life. In fact, it is a resounding testament to their strength and resilience that many such women survive and some even thrive
K.M. Gorey et al. Child Abuse Neglect 25 2001: 348. Victims of abuse, who are at heightened risk for developing
mental health issues like depression, are likely to encounter one or more of the following psychological issues, among others:
4.2.1 Anxiety
People who have experienced abuse may be afraid of people or situations that remind them of their abuse experiences. They may be scared to be alone, frightened
of strangers, or fearful of sexual intimacy, depending on the nature of the abuse they experienced. Disrupted sleep, compulsive behaviors, panic attacks, and other
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indications of anxiety are somewhat common in victims of abuse. In the novel, it can be seen on the following sentence:
She had locked the door. She always did. At school the other girls made fun of her for being so modest. She locked the doors
everywhere. Then she could be sure of being alone, and not being bothered.
Steel, 1998: 22
The first time David Glass met Grace, he knows what Molly, a psychiatrist who handles Grace, has seen in teenagers. Grace looked frightened and was clearly
illustrated in the face and behavior. It can be seen on the following sentence: She looked like a nice girl, and she looked as though someone
had beaten the life out of her. She was so remote, one almost wondered if one could touch her. She was more like an
apparition than a real person. There was nothing ordinary about her. Nothing to suggest that she was a seventeen-year-old girl, a
teenager, none of the life or ebullience one would have expected.
Steel, 1998: 93
4.2.2 Anger
Victims of abuse may feel intense anger at their abusers, at those who knew of the abuse and failed to intervene, and even at themselves for being abused,
particularly when they believe they could or should have stopped it. Anger is a natural and normal response to being abused, and victims can learn to manage their
anger in a constructive manner that will facilitate healing. Anger that arises because could not stand the behavior of his father. Grace took dared action to stop him. It can
be seen in the following sentence: It was the first time in her entire life that she had defied him. In
the past, she had whimpered and cried, but she had never fought him as she did now, she had begged, but never argued. This was
new for her, and he didnt like it. Mom isnt here now, she said, shaking from head to foot, as
she stared at him, trying to dredge something from her very soul that had never been there before, the courage to fight her father.
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Steel, 1998:24 It also happens when grace has come out of prison. Louis Marquez, police on duty
were watching her during the trial period. Grace was angry with what was Louis said. What was taught by Sally and Luana while in prison made Grace increasingly
bold and she did not want to be frightened or even suppressed again as she had before.
But the way he said it made something snap deep inside her, and she took a step closer to him, and put her face close to his with a
look of fury. I shot the last man who said that to me, and tried to act on it.
And dont you forget that, Mr. Marquez. Are we clear now? Steel, 1998: 176-177
4.2.3 Dissociation
