presented at Convening 19
Nieltje Gedney, ACAA
ARCH Committee for Mother/Child
Box 349
Hedgeville, West Virginia 25427
Part I -- VICTIM
The Three R's: Realizing, Recognizing, and Rectifying
The hardest part of healing is realizing there is a problem, recognizing the need for help and then rectifying the damage. Victims of all types of violence are discussed by the main focus will be on violence experienced in the home. The practical side of surviving is often ignored in the quest for emotional healing. While acknowledging that the emotional cost of surviving violence is tremendous, we will emphasize the economics of surviving. The goal will be for participants to gain the emotional and economic support needed to make the transition from victim to survivor, when they are ready to do so.
Part II -- SURVIVOR
The rocky road to recovery
Because of the myriad of problems encountered after recognizing one's victimization, many people get stuck in the survivor stage of healing. We will discuss the various problems survivors of violence encounter as they struggle to put their life back together. Medical, legal, and government resources, as well as private sector and not-for-profit agencies will be explored, and insight will be offered about how to deal with them. Time will be spent unraveling the complex bureaucracy that victims often encounter when confronted with the criminal justice system for the first time. Encouragement, information, and support are the key elements needed to enable a survivor to emerge victorious from their own tragedy. Our gal is to provide the necessary emotional support network and critical economic information needed to survive during this lengthy process. Participants should now have the resources needed to "do the work" that will enable them to emerge victorious from their tragedy.
Part III - VICTOR
You've come a long way baby
It is important to understand that not everyone will be victorious; just surviving violence is a victory. For those who truly do the emotional work that is essential to healing, the rewards are great. While no one would ever wish violence and tragedy on anyone, it is often the catalyst for reaping some of life's greatest rewards. Several case studies will be presented and discussed as examples of the different paths taken by victims during their long struggle for survival. Some will remain victims by choice, many choose to be survivors, and a few emerge victorious, leading the way for others. It is our hope that participants in this workshop will come away with the tools they need to face the tragedy of their victimization, survive the lengthy healing process, and emerge victorious.
This workshop is appropriate to both victims of violence and the professionals who work with them. Victims will learn to climb the ropes of victimization instead of hanging themselves with them. Professionals should gain a better perspective of the strengths and weaknesses of a system that puts the victim on trial. Hopefully, everyone will come away with a fully integrated picture of what it's like to have survived violence and what survivors face along the road to recovery. No one will leave without having experienced new understanding, compassion, and respect for victims of violence.