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Tools and guides

Working with survivors of sexual and gender-based violence

Journey to Healing empowers survivor networks to heal and advocate for ending sexual and gender-based violence globally.

2020 Available in English, Spanish and French

Cover illustration of women from different countries.

Cover illustration of women from different countries. Design: www.wingfinger.co.uk

Illustration of three woman walking together down along a road

From: Working with survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV)

Our Journey to Healing approach creates safe peer-to-peer spaces for healing from sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and supports the global survivor movement

Out of the Shadows is the manual used by survivor champions who have been trained using A Shared Journey.

The activities in the manual are designed to support survivors in processing their trauma and to reinforce their dignity, value, identity and confidence. Used to facilitate interactive activities for groups of survivors, this workbook is process-driven to help participants gain skills and knowledge of the healing process.

Out of the Shadows is a core component of Journey to Healing, Tearfund’s survivor-centred approach to support survivors and end sexual and gender based violence. It is a peer-to-peer support group model and creates a supportive environment for healing which acknowledges and respects survivors’ agency, autonomy and decision-making potential.

The approach creates safe spaces for survivors to speak out and overcome trauma: a journey from fear to courage, from self-doubt to confidence about their future. Primarily supporting female survivors, it can be adapted for use with male survivors, who may face additional stigma.

As a champion you will probably be mobilising a group of survivors using your knowledge of your own community. Usually a champion, like yourself, has been part of their own survivor group. As that group closes, champions are identified and sent out to mobilise other survivors to join the journey to healing. You are asked to identify women who you think can benefit from this process and to welcome them to participate if they feel ready. Support is available to you as you do this through your trainer and mentors in your community. Tearfund works with local partner organisations who typically take the lead in mentoring and supporting champions. Tearfund provides support in this process to partner staff, and encourages them to have monthly meetings with champions to help them problem-solve and share any challenges they are facing. Champions are also encouraged to connect with each other for peer support.

Journey to Healing phases

PHASE ONE: Connection 

The key elements of this phase are trust and safety and the goal is connection. Without building trust and safety in group work, it will be difficult to deal with trauma. SGBV often leads to isolation and harmed relationships. Working in a group setting helps to undo past hurts and create a new foundation for healthy relationships going forward. This phase seeks to build connections and form a safe environment in the group setting. 

PHASE TWO: Cohesion 

The key element of this phase is building hope from brokenness in the context of working in a group and the goal is cohesion. The aim is to form strong, secure bonds between group members so that the pain of the past can be explored without the fear of being further wounded. Stories are told and pain is unpacked in the presence of women who care for and about each other. 

PHASE THREE: Consolidation

The key elements of this phase are sharing and growing and the goal is consolidation. This is the phase of group growth and expansion of the movement.

How does the process work?

  1. Survivors are able to verbalise their personal experiences of SGBV. 
  2. Safe space is created where new experiences can be embraced, so that survivors can rid themselves of the shame and guilt of the violation experienced, and move toward self-acceptance. 
  3. The ultimate goal is that healing begins and the person finds new strengths.

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