Abstract:
Existing research shows that adolescents are victimised and traumatised more often than adults. Many a time it is left to pastoral counsellors to assist such traumatised youth to overcome such experiences. This article therefore aims to empower pastors in this task with reference to the insights of René Girard. As violence is inherent to traumatic experiences, two aspects of Girard’s insights are pertinent. Girard’s notions of imitation with regard to violence, as well as the scapegoat ritual can be useful to pastors who want to guide adolescents through their trauma. Girard’s contribution has been widely acknowledged and used by theologians in their hermeneutical and theological endeavours. This article now applies these insights to the field of Practical Theology. In theology, Jesus has become both the ‘role model’ and the ‘scapegoat’. This article applies both these aspects of Jesus’ life to pastoral care with traumatised youth.
