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15. Summary of basic principles and ideas
15. Summary of basic principles and ideas
Aim. To summarise the take home messages.
Below are some of the main principles that have guided the training. It may be useful to keep them in mind when you are working with survivors of trauma.
• Sexual violence is a human rights violation and must be understood in that context.
• Traumatic events cause great distress and pain, characterised by strong and overwhelming trauma memories and an inability to control them.
• Intrusive memories affect the present as well as the future.
• Reactions in response to trauma events should be understood as a survival mechanism.
• Trauma reactions can be recognised and identified when you have a basic understanding of trauma.
• Recognise that, when you work with survivors, your own knowledge and experience are valuable.
PART I: POINTS OF DEPARTURE
When approaching a person whose life has been changed by trauma, some steps are vital. Practise how to do the following:
• Create conditions in which a traumatised person will accept the presence of the helper.
• Never be intrusive and always allow a respectful distance.
• Talk to the survivor with great care: talk in general terms about the problem or tell a story about something similar.
• Always ensure the survivor continues to accept your presence.
• Communicate your understanding and when possible explain carefully the possible reasons for her reactions.
• Ask her if she will accept help and say that she can decide if she wants to speak or not.
• Assist her if possible by providing specific, practical help.
• Make sure that necessary health care is provided.
• Help the survivor to breathe as calmly as possible and, when this can be done, practise exercises from the manual.
• If possible, continue the contact and employ the skills learned.
Always bear in mind:
• Sometimes it will be important to report violent incidents to relevant bodies. Always do so with the consent of the survivor, and in collaboration with her. Refer to the Manual’ s advice on reporting( pages 102-105 and Section 8 of Part III) and support the survivor during the process.
• Always assess the risks involved in reporting. Reporting may create dangers for the survivor or others and, where this is so, alternatives must be considered.
• The survivor must be in charge of her story and her life. Work with this principle, not against it.
• Remember that our main objective is to enable a survivor to recover her life and dignity.
• Give priority to ways of helping her to return to her community, family, social network and daily life, as much as possible.