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Triggered memories( continued)
SAID ALOUD
Aim. To confirm that you understand triggering of trauma reactions and what activates it.
Discussion. Describe your experience of working with survivors.( 20 minutes in plenary.)
Talk about your own experiences of working with survivors, and try to relate your experiences to the story of the Butterfly Woman.
• What activates bad memories?
• Why are bad memories activated?
• What helps a survivor to cope?
DISCUSSION
PART II: THE TRAINING
In your experience, what reactions did survivors display? What reactions made them feel ashamed or crazy? Have you seen women reliving their trauma? Do you know what triggered their flashbacks?
Trainer. I will continue.
Many objects and situations could evoke memories of the rape. Some states in her body would bring the memories back. When she menstruated, for example, the pain in her stomach and the sight of her blood reminded her of the rape. A yellow cloth( she wore a yellow dress when she was raped) instantly recalled the memory of herself bloody in her yellow dress.
A certain light in the evening before the sun went down, or the sound of the river reminded her of the rape too, because it took place by the river just before sunset. Other strong trauma reminders were angry voices and heavy breathing.
At the health centre, the Butterfly Woman felt calm most of the time. After staying at the centre for two months, she felt much better. She joined the choir where the women sang and danced. The choir revived some joy and vitality in her. Being together with women who had been through what she had been through made her feel less estranged. They could support each other. The Butterfly Woman was good with her hands and was able to join a sewing class where she learned to make clothes. Some of the women said they could make a living from what they sold, though they had been rejected by their families and community because they had been raped.