Closure?

[Sqad]

This is a topic that I couldn't make my mind up as to which section was appropriate......so forgive me if i have chosen the wrong section.

We have heard the term "closure" in the press and particularly on AB in reference to the victims of the Jimmy Savile outrage.

I have never come across the term until now and i know that some ABer will explain........BUT....please ....not in flowery language going on endlessly with euphemisms etc, but just giving me the "bottom line."

It is quite clear, that sexual abuse has devastating physical and emotional effects on the body and i am guessing that the term "closure" relates to the psychological effects of this abuse on the victim.

If these allegations are substantiated against JS, does "it will bring closure to the victims" mean that their psychological symptoms will either disappear or be markedly ameliorated?

I look forward to meaningful replies.

[sandyRoe]

No. They'll live with it for the rest of their days if that's the type of personality they have. Others may already have consigned the experience to the dustbin of unpleasant memories.
Don't the shrinks talk of catharsis, abreaction, and closure?

[sandyRoe]

Or should that be, Abreaction, catharsis, and closure?

[baza]

the chambers dictionary says:-A feeling of satisfaction or resignation when a particular episode has come to an end.

[Sqad]

sandy....good morning.

Excellent answers......so in a nutshell......effect closure (by bringing this expose to the world) then the psychological effects of the victims will be cured (catharctic) or at least ameliorated.

That makes sense and put very well sandy.......thank you.

BUT........that is not what the victims or the Psychiatrists are saying...........they say that the victims will live their lives "gripped" with the results of the sexual abuse.......a lifetime situation.......so..........what is the point and meaning of "closure?"

Sorry if i am a little slow.

[rockyracoon]

I'm not a huge fan of the word closure and I certainly don't think all the history of abuse will fade away because the truth is out, but there has to be a feeling of relief, that the perpetrator/s who were adored have now been outed and the allegations are absolutely believed. Some will have moved on, some can now move on and some will never, it depends on them as a person. Hopefully they'll get some kind of sense of justice out of it all and hopefully some convictions.

[Sqad]

baza....our posts have crossed.

[Nibble]

It'd probably give the victims a feeling of relief, that they've finally been believed, satisfaction - that at least the actions of the person have been judged to be detirmental to the victim, and an ability to finally put that episode of their lives in context of it being not their fault.

[rockyracoon]

I certainly don't live 'gripped' with the results of sexual abuse, but then it all boils down to what you let define you, I refuse to be a made a victim, but that's me and I was fortunate that I was believed immediately and prosecution was swift, maybe I would have felt differently had it not been that way.

[tonyav]

I don't think that there could be any closure for JS victims, he is dead now so he will receive no punishment for what he has done.

[Prudie]

I have always understood it to mean coming to terms with something, putting it behind you and not letting it affect you psychologically anymore. It's also bandied about in reference to accepting the end of relationships. Personally I've never experienced it and would say that anyone who has was not that damaged in the first place. I can't understand how any victims of the JS scandal could put that behind them just because he's been exposed after all this time. Only my opinion based on my own psychological make-up but then I'm not forgiving.

[jno]

my guess is the effects of abuse will stay with them, the effects of being disbelieved, or of feeling unable to talk about it at all, will be relieved, though doubtless to different degrees.

Being a victim is one thing, being made to feel (or simply feeling it of your own accord) that it was your own fault is different. I think closure would apply to the second.

[Sqad]

rocky

\\\ I was believed immediately and prosecution was swift,\\

That i can well understand, that being quite a rapid application of that term "closure"............but here we are dealing with a chronic, long standing condition and suggesting that closure will be therapeutic here.

[Old_Geezer]

I would have thought the benefit may well be different for each individual and only each may answer for themselves. But being believed, not having to carry the experience memory and its affect on you alone, must be worth something psychologically. I can't imagine it will make everything ok but it's one aspect unburdened, and may be enough to start some kind of 'benefical cycle', knowing that, that has been achieved already. It closes the secrecy part at least.

[Sqad]

Excellent answers ...all.

Cannot yet judge the best answer.......but will make up my mind later.

Getting back to "closure"........that is the only result that can come out of this situation as prosecution seems to be out of the question and it seems that prosecution is the best definition of "closure."

[naomi24]

I don’t think ‘closure’ in this instance means the victims can close the door on what happened – more that they gain a sense of justice in that their abuser’s crime has been revealed to the rest of the world.

[flump1]

I think in this particular case, Jimmy Saville was revered by all and sundry while this was going on. Me included.....ignorance and all that. The victims are looking to burst that bubble and insert peadophile and monster where almost god used to go. Then they will feel " closure ".

[rockyracoon]

I wouldn't say it was a rapid application, it took a while to deal with it all, my decision to draw a line under it came as a teenager, being the stroppy mare that I was I found it more difficult not being able to confront the abuser as he'd died soon after conviction, that was what I had to accept. These girls will probably feel the same but nothing can change as their abuser is also dead.

[Sqad]

naomi

\\\\ more that they gain a sense of justice in that their abuser’s crime has been revealed to the rest of the world.\\

But their psychological symptoms and mental state is likely to persist....despite....closure.

So what is gained by closure?

[sandyRoe]

If there is such a thing as closure I'm not sure that the prosecution of the offender is the best way to find it. Imagine a man charged with rape. If he was acquitted, and many are, then his victim would feel they had suffered a double whammy.

[Sqad]

rocky

\\\These girls will probably feel the same but nothing can change as their abuser is also dead.\\\

Exactly...........so closure achieves....nothing and closure is the best outcome.