Once Were Warriors Trauma

The film Once were Warriors provides a depiction of domestic violence in Auckland, New Zealand. To say that this was the only issue seen in the film, however, would be a gross understatement. The family faces domestic and sexual violence, alcohol abuse, gang violence and suicide. Nevertheless, the family and social dynamic of the Heke family is certainly the catalyst for the various forms of trauma in the film.
Jake Heke and Uncle Bully are the most obvious of perpetrators. Jake alternates between extreme acts of violence and verbal manipulation to control his family. In an incredibly graphic scene, Uncle Bully is seen raping his own niece, Grace. Beth, at one point, does violently slap her eldest son after perceived disrespect. Shocked by …show more content…
Hyperarousal is often discussed in trauma theory as a common factor among the victims. Victims find themselves in a constant state of arousal in anticipation of danger. Beth and the Heke’s are often hyper alert and frequently flinch around Jake, as if to brace themselves. The family slip in and out of the house quietly, literally tip-toeing in their own house. Intrusion can be explained as the permanency of trauma physically manifesting itself. Victims face recurring flashbacks without the ability to put the trauma into words. This is best represented in Grace’s behaviors. Following her sexual assault, she is unable to tell anyone what occurred. When spending time with her best friend, NAME, he misreads the situation and attempts to kiss Grace. She is overwhelmed by the remembrance of the rape, and lashes out against him. The kiss acted as a trigger for her trauma. Construction is the victim’s numbing response to the trauma. Victims will use outside means to produce this effect. Each family member develops a different coping mechanism, but all serve to numb their feelings. Beth abuses alcohol to deal with the physical and psychological trauma associated with the abuse. After Grace’s rape, she uses marijuana with her friend to forget about the previous night’s

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