46 Day 2. Life is turned upside down
TO THE TRAINER
PART II: THE TRAINING
Day 2. Life is turned upside down
Aims. To ensure the participants are grounded when the story continues. To familiarise the participants with grounding exercises.
After greetings, remind the participants again that the next section of the story contains descriptions of sexual violence and rape. Remember that the participants, as well as the women they assist, may have experienced sexual violence, and that the story may lead to painful reactions and possible re-traumatisation. Let the participants know that those who feel like it may at any time leave the room.
Before you restart the story, do a grounding exercise to ensure the participants remain grounded. A grounding exercise should always be included at this point.
Explain the value of grounding exercises, their role in the training, and how they work.
GROUNDING EXERCISE
Grounding Exercise 1. Grounding the body.
This exercise is set out on page 45. It is useful if you see that the group is low on energy. Do the exercise together with the group, while giving them instructions.
Grounding Exercise 7. Feeling the weight of your body is an alternative.
TEACHING INSTRUCTION. GROUNDING EXERCISES.
Examples of grounding exercises are scattered through the training. It is important to practice them again and again, until the skill becomes automatic, and can be called on even during moments of distress. Always remember to invite survivors to participate in a grounding exercise. They should feel able to accept or not; the invitation should be an open one.
They are essential to help people remain focused and in the present. If survivors re-traumatise, they can be used to lower their arousal.
Note. All the grounding exercises can be found in Appendix 2.