The Forgotten Space of Dialogue:

Developing Trauma Counseling for Silent Victims

Abstract

This article explores the crucial role of the “space for dialogue” in the psychological recovery of trauma survivors, particularly those who remain silent due to profound traumatic experiences. The inability or unwillingness to share one’s trauma may stem from stigma, fear, lack of social support, or distrust toward the legal system. The “space for dialogue” is conceptualized as a safe and supportive environment where individuals can express their emotions without fear of judgment, thereby facilitating the healing process. This article also emphasizes the importance of an inclusive and trauma-informed counseling approach to reach and empower silent victims through empathetic communication and validation of their experiences. The research employs a library research method, examining a range of academic literature, scholarly journals, books, and official documents published between 2022 and 2025. Data analysis was conducted using a thematic approach to identify patterns of meaning related to voiceless trauma survivors and the concept of dialogue space within traumatic counseling. By comparing practices in Indonesia and international contexts, the study identifies a significant gap namely, the limited attention given to silent trauma survivors. The novelty of this research lies in the proposed integration of the dialogue space with traumatic counseling, which not only emphasizes verbal communication but also accommodates nonverbal, creative, and community-based methods. This integration is expected to offer both theoretical and practical contributions to the development of more inclusive traumatic counseling services in Indonesia, while also serving as a reference for the formulation of more adaptive and responsive mental health policies.