47
“ The Protective Shield ”
( T = trauma P = parent / caregiver C = child )
No traumatisation Parents as protective shields
T P C
Traumatised
T P
Parents physically or emotionally absent
C
KEY TO KNOW
Most serious traumatisation is when parents are perpetrators
TP
C
• When the protective shield breaks , anything can happen ( three phantasies : fear , rescue and revenge )
• Unanswered cry
• Traumatisation always triggers the attachment system
Summary
If the protective shield fails in the face of a serious threat ( because adult protection was not robust or adults were absent ), the child is likely to be traumatised . If the adult who was expected to protect the child is also the same person who abuses the child , this causes the most severe form of trauma . But the child needs to be attached , and therefore often blames itself for what happened . The child thinks that what is bad is a part of the child itself . This generates a conflict between the attachment system and the stress-response system ( the reaction of fear ). Children who have been abused therefore hide the truth and protect perpetrators because they desperately need attachment . They may develop insecure attachment which is characterised by avoidance or clinging behaviour .