English Mental health and gender-based violence English version | Page 120

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Preparing to return to the community
TO THE TRAINER
PART II : THE TRAINING

Preparing to return to the community

Aim . To clarify the many challenges that may arise for a survivor when she returns to her community , and what kinds of assistance can make her return easier or more successful .
Use the story to explain what the Butterfly Woman faces when she considers going back . What happens in her heart , body , thoughts , feelings and senses when she thinks about this ?
Emphasise that the objective should be to assist a survivor to reconnect to her former life , her family , her social network , and community .
Under many circumstances , especially when it comes to GBV , a human rights-based approach is not adopted . In such situations , be aware that , after violations , some women may be marginalised and rejected by their families or community . Some women may also not wish to return to the life they had before the traumatic events .
How can a woman who has been traumatised restore her relationships with others , along with her skills and the activities she normally engaged in ?
DISCUSSION
Discussion . Explore the challenges involved .
Ask the participants to form small groups and discuss the challenges that confront a survivor when she decides she would like to return to her community . Discuss also how it could have been different if a human rights-based approach had been adopted in the community .
KEY POINT
The story shows that
• A survivor who has learned skills and learned how to cope will find it easier to face the challenges of returning home and rebuilding her life .