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Preparing to return to the community
TO THE TRAINER
PART II: THE TRAINING
Preparing to return to the community
Aim. To clarify the many challenges that may arise for a survivor when she returns to her community, and what kinds of assistance can make her return easier or more successful.
Use the story to explain what the Butterfly Woman faces when she considers going back. What happens in her heart, body, thoughts, feelings and senses when she thinks about this?
Emphasise that the objective should be to assist a survivor to reconnect to her former life, her family, her social network, and community.
Under many circumstances, especially when it comes to GBV, a human rights-based approach is not adopted. In such situations, be aware that, after violations, some women may be marginalised and rejected by their families or community. Some women may also not wish to return to the life they had before the traumatic events.
How can a woman who has been traumatised restore her relationships with others, along with her skills and the activities she normally engaged in?
DISCUSSION
Discussion. Explore the challenges involved.
Ask the participants to form small groups and discuss the challenges that confront a survivor when she decides she would like to return to her community. Discuss also how it could have been different if a human rights-based approach had been adopted in the community.
KEY POINT
The story shows that
• A survivor who has learned skills and learned how to cope will find it easier to face the challenges of returning home and rebuilding her life.