Abstract
D.Litt. et Phil.
Incidence and prevalence rates of child sexual abuse and incest are shockingly high. Children of
both genders are sexually abused every 25 minutes in South Africa. This abuse results in
emotional, spiritual, social, interpersonal, sexual, psychosomatic, neurological and cognitive
disturbances. Many of these consequences persist into adulthood. Adult survivors do not always
link their symptoms or problems with their childhood sexual abuse experiences. Those that do
seek help for those symptoms only in adulthood.
Specialised treatment models have been developed for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
These treatment approaches neglect the spiritual consequences of childhood sexual abuse and
have overlooked the value of incorporating the religious or spiritual beliefs of clients into the
therapy. Hypnotherapeutic strategies have been successful in treating traumatic conditions, yet,
they are not intended for treatment of adult survivors of childhood incest and sexual abuse.
This study results in an understanding of the long-term spiritual consequences of adult abuse
survivors. A treatment approach, integrating concepts of existing abuse focused models,
hypnotherapeutic strategies and the spiritual beliefs of clients is developed to compensate for the
aforementioned limitations. To enhance the treatment outcome, principles of Tibetan psychology and rational-emotive therapy were integrated into the treatment approach.
The experiences of five female adult survivors’ of the long-term spiritual consequences of the
abuse, and their experiences of the hypnotherapeutic approach was assessed in a pilot study.
Questions regarding the consequences of the abuse, hypnosis and spirituality were included in the pilot study questionnaire. The results obtained from this study were integrated into the
intervention study. The intervention study also consisted of five adult females and the therapy
process was defined with reference to the long-term consequences and strategies comprising five
modalities (spiritual concepts, Tibetan psychology, cognitive therapy, hypnotherapy, and existing incest focused treatment models).
The data obtained from the pilot and intervention studies were qualitatively analysed within an action research methodology. The action research approach consists of four action research cycles. The first cycle comprised the literature review; the second the pilot study; the third the intervention study, and; the fourth, an integration of the above cycles.
Findings obtained from the pilot study showed that participants do suffer serious long-term
spiritual consequences as a result of having been sexually abused as children. Participants of the pilot study unanimously concluded that the hypnotherapeutic strategies made the therapy more meaningful for them. This corresponds with findings from clinically researched studies.
Participants particularly benefited from their visualisations, their self-hypnosis audio-tapes,
breathing techniques and from the integration of their personal spiritual beliefs and visualisations into the therapy. The hypnotic trance resulted in greater recall of childhood memories. The interpersonal functioning of the participants improved as well as feelings of guilt, sadness, fear
and anger.
Conclusions drawn from the interventions study indicate that the synthesis of strategies obtained from the four modalities proved to be a valuable therapeutic treatment approach with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. As a direct result of the therapy clients were able to heal many negative consequences of the abuse. Clients established healthier interpersonal boundaries,
resolved feelings of sadness, fear, aggression, resentment and self-doubt. A few clients formed
healthier body-images, became more assertive and self-confident. Certain clients were able to
forgive the perpetrators and others found it easier to interact with the perpetrators after their therapy. Furthermore, clients were able to find meaning in their abuse experiences and some
decided to be of service to mankind after their therapy. This study is a comprehensive guideline
for professionals working with such survivors.
Findings in this study may assist professionals to acquire an understanding of the experience of
childhood sexual abuse and hypnotherapy as experienced by female survivors. It provides insight into the long-term psychological and spiritual consequences suffered from the abuse. It is hoped that the findings of this study will inform future research, contribute towards theory-building in this field, and assist professionals with their clinical practices.
Prof. W.J. Schoeman
Dr. R. Pelser.