Hi Upstream,

In my case, my attacker was a "friend," and we were both teens at the time. He raped me several times, and there were rumors that he had (at least tried) to do so with other girls in my school. As far as I know, he had no history of mental illness or anything...just the basic issues that most teens have.

However, I find your question quite interesting, as I have done some research on the question of "why do 'good' people do 'bad' things." I suggest you take a look at research by Christopher Browning. While his research is mainly on Holocaust perpetrators, it does relate to other examples of human behavior. Other research to consider is Daniel Goldhagen--he discusses "hate" as a motivating factor. Also take a look at the Stanford Prison Experiment conducted by Philip Zimbardo as well as the Stanley Milgram shock experiment. (I don't know if I have spelled all their names right; I'm a terrible speller!)

Good luck,
nic

I have purchased and begun "The Lucifer Effect" by Philip Zimbardo, however I had not heard of the other individuals. I'll have to look into their work. Thanks nic!

Chose to vote......... So, in narrowing things down to one selection and to the best of my ability, I chose: Criminal Behavior - The persons had sinister and self-serving motives; ....Truthful, without doubt!

There was other life-and-death near experiences, some of which was terrorfying and some of which was not, but these do not include intent, and for the most part, I have either very little and in other instances not once gotten around to discussing any of that.

I was in the Israeli invasion in Lebanon (2006). So I suppose the Israeli Army traumatized me...

My father abused me. He did what his father did to him and he thought he was doing the right thing. He knew no better and has not changed. I am around him often since he is elderly now. But if a romantic partner abandons me, it's a huge trigger because that is what my father did to me.

I was raped at 19. He was deranged at the time. He seemed conceited and narccissitic and he was an acquaintance.

no one was to blame as mine was military realed to vienam. if i wanted i suppose i could blame President Johnson and congress for the gulf of tonken resoulution.

My father was the guilty party in my family. All four of us kids have PTSD. I believe my mother did to. My father never in all his 94 yrs admitted his guilt. It was always someone else's fault.

The main person involved did not know how ill (he/she) was, nor did (he/she)think (he/she) was doing anything wrong - this person's actions were very passive aggressive. . .which was incredibly confusing to me as a child and a teenager. I knew something was very wrong - abuse kept happening - and I HATED this person with everything I had until I began to understand the whole picture as an adult. I didn't even understand why I hated this person so much, I only know that I did.

I coined a term: 'by proxy' to catagorize this person's actions. Pedophilia by proxy, incest by proxy, rape by proxy. . . .it fit. Now I know the whole picture. This person still has not taken responsibility for (his/her) actions - I doubt seriously (he/she) ever will.

I grew up with the name 'slut' attached to me in no uncertain terms. Now I know why - sometimes insanity cannot be defined until it's too late.

The people who actually perpetrated the events - yep, they knew what they were doing was wrong. . . I don't know if I would classify them as insane as much as I would classify them as criminal. Absolutely criminal.

The last event was a tragic trauma. . . a death. . .that was hard. . .it still is, and I trigger back to that sometimes. . .but usually see it more as grief.

Beth.

The most recent would be my ex hubby who tried to kill me. He had never laid a hand on me until that night, but he sure meant it. I had tried to get him to get help. He had severe mood swings the 6 mos or so prior and I just couldn't handle it. When he kept promising it and his behavior kept getting more and more erratic I got out, but it nearly cost my life. That was almost 6 yrs ago. Though there was only the one physically abusive instance with him, he was emotionally abusive and controlling.

Hope this helps.

Bette

Sorry,I couldn't pick from your options. My trauma was being sexually exploited as a child from 6 mos. to 12yrs old. I was captive periodically by an organization which provided 'vacations' for people who rented children by the night, the week-end or few weeks. As a small example, we were the entertainment for men when they came in from skiing all day. Most events were catered. We children were delivered in florists vans and catering trucks. I don't think my guests are capable of lasting change.