The ‘psychological turn’ in self-help services for sexual abuse victims: Drivers and dilemmas
| Date | 01 January 2021 |
| Published date | 01 January 2021 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0269758020918797 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Article
The ‘psychological turn’ in
self-help services for sexual
abuse victims: Drivers
and dilemmas
Kari Stefansen
Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway
Ingrid Smette
Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway
Jane Dullum
Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway
Abstract
This article describes an ongoing process of transformation in sexual abuse counselling centres in
Norway that involves a new classification of groups of victims. These centres have traditionally
operated at the grassroots level and outside the statutory system of services for victims and with
an open-door policy for all victims. Drawing on field visits and interviews with staff, we explore
how the centres are now working to secure their place within the expanding organisational field of
services engaged in victim support and anti-violence work – and the dilemmas this produces
related to some victims. Theoretically, our analysis departs from a Bourdieusian approach to
organisational fields as well as Abbott’s concept of professional regression. We find that the
centres have adopted ways of thinking and working that stem from the discipline of psychology and
the powerful trauma-discourse that has permeated the organisational field they are part of. This
‘psychological turn’ manifests in different ways in the centres, including an increasing pro-
blematisation and marginalisation of the centres’ original user group – women who are severely
affected by childhood sexual abuse – who no longer are seen as benefitting from the services
offered. Hence, it involves a regression from what used to be the centres’ purpose and niche, to
care for the most vulnerable and marginalised victims.
Corresponding author:
Kari Stefansen, Norwegian Social Research (NOVA), Oslo Metropolitan University, PO Box 4, St Olavs plass, 0130 Oslo,
Norway.
Email: karis@oslomet.no
International Review of Victimology
2021, Vol. 27(1) 80–93
ªThe Author(s) 2020
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DOI: 10.1177/0269758020918797
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