The Impact of Sexual Abuse

Wallace, Elle, and Rosemary are all characters whose stories reflect the impact of sexual abuse. Wallace, ironically, has lost her respect for women as a result of the sexual abuse she suffered. Elle believes sexual abuse destroyed her relationship with Jonas and led her away from him. Rosemary demonstrates her own cold-heartedness when she tells Elle that she wishes she had been there when Conrad drowned.

Wallace appears to blame her mother, not her stepfather for the abuse she suffered, perhaps explaining why Wallace blames herself when Elle tells her that it was Conrad who raped her. When Wallace was eight, her stepfather forced her to give him oral sex. Wallace’s mother did not do anything to protect Wallace. In fact, she slapped Wallace when she discovered what was happening. Years later, when Elle tells Wallace what happened with Conrad, Wallace...