The Lessons of Primo Levi #1 « Trauma and Philosophy

The Lessons of Primo Levi #1 « Trauma and Philosophy
Excerpt:
He goes on to observe that we need to learn how to think of this “grey zone” [wherein the very distinction between perpetrator and victim becomes--very intentionally on the part of the perpetrators--blurred] appropriately, “if we want to know how to defend our souls when a similar test should once more loom before us, or even if we want to understand what takes place...
. . . This institution represented an attempt to shift onto others–specifically the  victims–the burden of guilt, so that they were deprived of even the solace of  innocence.”  The same mechanism, in a less brutal manifestation, is present throughout contemporary society. It is essentially what the abuser does to the abused wife [...or to a child..or a date...or....], for instance–when he conditions her to believe she “brought it on herself.” 
  ~Francis (Frank) F. Seeburger is a professor of philosophy at the University of Denver