We do not know whether or when those who are currently speaking up may slide and fall, pulled into the sea, cowed into silence and washed into oblivion by the waves.

In this section, I will consider the power dynamics of the RSI using three metaphors: gravity, wind and water level.

​

Gravity is a metaphor for the prolonged effect of trauma. The main symptoms of PTSD are well known, and include intrusive, distressing recollections of the traumatic event, avoidance of stimuli associated with the event, numbing of general responsiveness, and hyper arousal.

They may be accompanied by physical complaints, fatigue, and other bodily disorders, depression and anxiety, dissociation symptoms, unconscious reenactment of the traumatic event, self-blaming and loss of a sense of self-worth, addictive behaviors to escape from psychological pain, self-inflicted injury, suicide attempts, loss of a sense of reality, and even psychotic symptoms (Herman, 1992/97, van der Kolk, 1996).

At their worst, any of these symptoms can lead to silence and death. The victimized person tries to climb the inner slope, but these efforts are frequently in vain, as weakened energy is further weakened by the prolonged symptoms.

​

Gravity also weighs down on those standing on the outer slope of the island.

Being in constant contact with the victimized and being deep in consideration of trauma bring about a similar set of symptoms: secondary traumatic stress (Stamm, 1999).

These symptoms are also very difficult, painful, and prolonged.

If one does not leave the island quickly enough, psychological injury can be as severe as that of the victimized, and the affected person may drift onto the inner slope, beyond the ridge.