English Mental health and gender-based violence English version | Page 123

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Preparing a survivor to reunite with her family and social network
SAID ALOUD

Preparing a survivor to reunite with her family and social network

PART II : THE TRAINING
Aim . To consider the assistance that may be required to prepare for the return of a survivor to her family and social network , including engaging helpers and resource persons in the community .
Trainer . I will continue .
When they visited the village , the helpers found out first whether resource people in the community could support a survivor . They were referred to the village chief and the priest . The helpers explained trauma and trauma-reactions and said that a raped woman is not to blame for what happened to her . The chief and the priest understood the women were suffering and that they were not to blame . They agreed to protect the raped women in their community and wanted to assist the helpers to talk to the women ’ s families .
When they talked to the Butterfly Woman ’ s family , the helpers explained that she had been traumatised and had suffered and had recovered . They told the family that she had learned new skills , like sewing , that could help the family survive . The chief said that raped women were wounded in a way that could be compared with the wounds of soldiers in the war . He said that the community would support the Butterfly Woman and help her not to feel ashamed .
While the Butterfly Woman was staying at the Center , the helpers had made several visits to her family and community . It had been difficult . The children had frequently asked for their mother , but her husband had not allowed the children to mention her name , let alone see her . After some time , however , he changed his mind and said that he wanted to see his wife again . In this , he was supported by the rest of the family .
The Butterfly Woman too had reached a point where she was ready to meet her husband . And she had longed to see her children for many weeks .