stress responses:
fight, flight, or FREEZE.
Yes, freeze is a natural stress response even though it is less commonly acknowledged. If you froze in response to an extremely stressful or traumatic situation, that does not make it your fault. That does not mean you wanted or allowed the situation to happen. It does not mean you consented.
Freezing was a defense mechanism. Freezing was how you coped with the situation. Your body took over to try and protect you in that moment the best way that it knew how.
Freezing was valid. Freezing IS valid. YOU are valid.
It is called Tonic Immobility. It commonly happens to rape victims (and many others), who later feel shamed for not fighting or running off, but I assure you it is completely a natural response that some bodies have to trauma. Interestingly, the same exact phenomenon has been demonstrated in sharks when touched in certain areas. They become completely paralyzed and go into an almost dazed state– just like people!
