ABSTRACT
This paper analyzes survivors‘ narratives from the Reddit forum r/sexualassaultsurvivors. We examine the intersection of trauma, language, and technological intervention. This research aims to determine whether specific linguistic patterns exist within trauma narratives. We have utilized (i) Voyant tools to analyze word usage through word clouds and the frequencies of negative and positive words in these narratives. (ii) Labov's method of pattern recognition to identify recurring structural elements and themes. (iii) Trauma studies—Cathy Caruth's notion of how trauma impacts us long after the event has passed, Bessel Van der Kolk's concept of how trauma is stored in our bodies, and Judith Herman's stages of healing and recovery. The motivation behind this research is to understand the nature of trauma narratives so that it becomes easier for people to recognize individuals experiencing trauma and to offer support for the better growth and survival of humanity.
