Open AccessFrom echoes of silence to whispers of hope: A journey with survivors of sexual violence
Author(s) -
Pearl Fernandes,
Yvette Aiello
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
torture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1997-3322
pISSN - 1018-8185
DOI - 10.7146/torture.v29i2.109332
Subject(s) - silence , shame , narrative , meaning (existential) , psychology , sexual violence , psychotherapist , social psychology , gender studies , sociology , criminology , aesthetics , art , literature
This paper outlines the narratives of a female and male survivor of sexual violence. It draws attention to the benefits of assisting survivors break their silence as a strategy to overcome the sequelae of shame that accompanies these acts. The two cases illustrate that both men and women experience sexual violation as de-humanising and assisting them to access and make meaning of their memories can be empowering. The need to develop a screening tool to assist survivors access treatment in a timely manner and further develop appropriate strategies incorporating both individual and group sessions is highlighted.