Abstract
The study aims to identify factors which contribute to the prevalence of alcoholism and drug addiction among sexually abused women in an ultra-conservative society. A qualitative research design is used in conjunction with interviews from women and physicians, categories which included both psychiatrists and sexologists, across six districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The phenomena of drug addiction and alcoholism were more pronounced in victims working for the commercial sex sector. The findings suggest Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD) as a driving factor of alcoholism and drug abuse, which in turn cascades into secondary and tertiary levels of trauma. Sexual victimization and re-victimization, familial rejection, stigmatisation and social degradation were contributing factors to relentless stress. Drugs in vogue among victims were Valium-two (Diazepam) and Lexotanil that contained Bromazepam. Hashish and alcohol were consumed sparingly by victims, while the use of cocaine and heroin was absent due to severe masculine perceptions and addiction. The study contributes to a better understanding of a socially-excluded, economically-disadvantaged and stigmatised group by taking a pro-feminist stance to advocate for the rights of victims.
Keyword(s)
A PHP Error was encountered
Severity: Notice
Message: Undefined variable: pub_keywords
Filename: front/publication.php
Line Number: 77
Backtrace:
File: /home/prdbpk/public_html/application/views/front/publication.php
Line: 77
Function: _error_handler
File: /home/prdbpk/public_html/application/controllers/Front.php
Line: 221
Function: view
File: /home/prdbpk/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once
A PHP Error was encountered
Severity: Warning
Message: Invalid argument supplied for foreach()
Filename: front/publication.php
Line Number: 77
Backtrace:
File: /home/prdbpk/public_html/application/views/front/publication.php
Line: 77
Function: _error_handler
File: /home/prdbpk/public_html/application/controllers/Front.php
Line: 221
Function: view
File: /home/prdbpk/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once
A PHP Error was encountered
Severity: Notice
Message: Undefined variable: pub_info
Filename: front/publication.php
Line Number: 84
Backtrace:
File: /home/prdbpk/public_html/application/views/front/publication.php
Line: 84
Function: _error_handler
File: /home/prdbpk/public_html/application/controllers/Front.php
Line: 221
Function: view
File: /home/prdbpk/public_html/index.php
Line: 315
Function: require_once