112 Preparing a survivor to reunite with her family and social network
TO THE TRAINER
PART II: THE TRAINING
Preparing a survivor to reunite with her family and social network
Aim. To consider the assistance that may be required to prepare for the return of a survivor to her family and social network, including engaging helpers and resource persons in the community.
It is important to mobilise resource persons in the community when preparing a survivor’ s return to the community. It may be valuable to refer to human rights principles and treaties that the state has undertaken to implement. This can show clearly that the violations against the survivor were serious breaches which the state failed both to prevent and protect her from. It is also vital to explain to the community the severity of sexual crimes, their consequences and impact on survivors, and the need to provide conditions of safety and respect if survivors are to reconnect with their lives.
Some of the material here is based on Figure 1 and your version of Figure 6( The qualities of a good helper in her society and context). Community resources that have already been discussed may also be brought into play.
KEY POINT
The story illustrates the importance of
• Finding resource people that can be relied on.
• Explaining trauma and responses to it to relatives and members of the community in a way they can understand.
TEACHING INSTRUCTION.
The story may not always fit the circumstances in which the helpers are working. Some survivors may have had to move far away, may be alone, may be denied the possibility of return, or may not desire to return. In such cases, try to adapt the return story to real circumstances.