Perhaps the others 'reluctance to do so is a result of what psychologists call "post-traumatic stress." Even after the victims of persecution are released from jail, their deep physical and psychological wounds cause fear to become a conditioned response. For many years afterward these people still have frequent nightmares and are scared of doing or saying anything that draws attention to themselves.
這可能是心理學上所說的「創傷後遺症」吧，也就是即使出獄了，由於迫害造成的身心重創，產生一種制約反應性的恐懼，多年後仍惡夢連連，仍不敢亂說亂動。