Personal civil wars

SHAYNNA Blaze is indeed “lucky” how she perceives the violent attack against her (“I’m a survivor, not a victim”, SHS, 11/12), with possibly one truth about her attacker being that he’s the real, tragic victim.

May I contend that violent perpetrators of both physical and psychological violence against others-irrespective of gender, mental illness and/or drug abuse- are victims of their own inability to think clearly and rationally about the harm they inflict on those others.

Perhaps overwhelmed and out of control due to their rage and ager inside, albeit well-disguised, they are usually unaware of their personal civil war, unconsciously projecting their self-hate and fears onto others.

Believing these others are vulnerable and incapable of fighting back with the strength of self-respect, self-belief and the desperate strive to stay alive, they are their own worst enemies.

Understanding that these people are first and foremost at war with themselves could inspire others of their type, and their treatments, with a different psychology that involves a reappraisal of who they are.

That Blaze “had the fight” in her should also inspire those who regard themselves as victims to perceive their attackers with a different insight to transcend the trauma.