most people are familiar with “fight or flight” Acute Stress Responses, but when one neither fighting nor fleeing are viable options, there are other modalities that kick in for the sake of one’s survival.

Namely, Freeze and Fawn: get small, be non-threatening, attempt to appease the assailant.

You did what you had to in order to get through that, and while nonetheless horrific and brutal, the fact that you came out of this alive is a testament to your resiliency. I wish you could get justice… hell I wish you could get vengeance. But I’m just glad you’re still here at all.