Fighting Words explores the short- and long-term effects of child sexual abuse on its survivors and how abuse is linked with suicidal ideation and action. The abuse Suki endures and her response afterward can be understood within the context of research conducted by Drs. Angela Browne and David Finkelhor, who developed the Traumagenic Dynamics Model for understanding the trauma of child sexual abuse (Browne, Angela and David Finkelhor. “The Traumatic Impact of Child Sexual Abuse: A Conceptualization.” American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 1985). Throughout the story, Suki exhibits behaviors consistent with two of the model’s frameworks for understanding the effects of abuse: powerlessness and stigmatization.

When a child experiences sexual abuse, they are invaded “psychologically, emotionally, and physically, and [are] trapped and helpless” (“Traumagenic Dynamics Model. Mothers of Sexually Abused Children: Information Resources and Support.” Mothers of Sexually Abused Children). This can result in feeling a lack of control in one’s life and includes symptoms such as nightmares and depression. In the weeks leading up to her suicide attempt, Suki’s trauma response grows more severe: “Her face was getting thinner, sharper. She woke up screaming every night” (148). Suki’s subsequent suicide attempt is a manifestation of her depression: “Child and adolescent victims of sexual abuse often talk about or act out thoughts of suicide” (“

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