My advice is: don't tread carefully. Write it exactly how it's meant to sound and let the individual reader decide how to interpret it. I agree that you don't have to make them appear weak, but anyone in that situation, I'd imagine, would empathize for feeling weak themselves at some point. There are PLENTY of words to invoke the other sensations/obstacles your characters face, like feeling powerless for instance. Write it how a survivor would write it.

I wrote a rape scene in my book and also self-published it on Amazon KDP. It's pretty graphic, not gonna lie, but the book is about demons, so whatever. I did not hold back what I envisioned to say the least. And I think that your individual expression and artistry that manifests and creates a complete work FAR MORE OUTWEIGHS having it reviewed "properly". Let your audience come to you instead of trying to appeal to one. There are plenty of classics that we are still required to read in public school for that very reason. The authors of those times were far less worried about how it was perceived versus the impact it would have. As a writer, you want to make an impact. I say write what you feel; balance their feelings of fear not only by describing their weaknesses, but by defining their strengths in the process. How would you describe yourself if/when you were faced with adversity?