ABSTRACT
The English word “betrayal” is derived from the old French trair and the Latin tradere, both referring to “traitor”. Indeed, the Webster’s dictionary meaning of “betrayal” includes “to deliver to an enemy by treachery”. Among other explications are “to lead astray, to fail or desert especially in time of need, to reveal unintentionally, [and] to disclose in violation of confidence”. Betrayal is both a specific form of trauma and a constituent of all psychic trauma. Sexual abuse, physical maltreatment, profound neglect, mockery, and bullying all include an element of betrayal. All involve breaking someone’s trust and putting someone’s faith and hope in question. As a result, the dynamic and technical observations contained in this chapter might apply—in small or large measure—to all traumatised individuals while maintaining their specificity for those who have been betrayed and hurt by their caregivers.
