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15 . Summary of basic principles and ideas
15 . Summary of basic principles and ideas
Aim . To summarise the take home messages .
Below are some of the main principles that have guided the training . It may be useful to keep them in mind when you are working with survivors of trauma .
• Sexual violence is a human rights violation and must be understood in that context .
• Traumatic events cause great distress and pain , characterised by strong and overwhelming trauma memories and an inability to control them .
• Intrusive memories affect the present as well as the future .
• Reactions in response to trauma events should be understood as a survival mechanism .
• Trauma reactions can be recognised and identified when you have a basic understanding of trauma .
• Recognise that , when you work with survivors , your own knowledge and experience are valuable .
PART I : POINTS OF DEPARTURE
When approaching a person whose life has been changed by trauma , some steps are vital . Practise how to do the following :
• Create conditions in which a traumatised person will accept the presence of the helper .
• Never be intrusive and always allow a respectful distance .
• Talk to the survivor with great care : talk in general terms about the problem or tell a story about something similar .
• Always ensure the survivor continues to accept your presence .
• Communicate your understanding and when possible explain carefully the possible reasons for her reactions .
• Ask her if she will accept help and say that she can decide if she wants to speak or not .
• Assist her if possible by providing specific , practical help .
• Make sure that necessary health care is provided .
• Help the survivor to breathe as calmly as possible and , when this can be done , practise exercises from the manual .
• If possible , continue the contact and employ the skills learned .
Always bear in mind :
• Sometimes it will be important to report violent incidents to relevant bodies . Always do so with the consent of the survivor , and in collaboration with her . Refer to the Manual ’ s advice on reporting ( pages 102-105 and Section 8 of Part III ) and support the survivor during the process .
• Always assess the risks involved in reporting . Reporting may create dangers for the survivor or others and , where this is so , alternatives must be considered .
• The survivor must be in charge of her story and her life . Work with this principle , not against it .
• Remember that our main objective is to enable a survivor to recover her life and dignity .
• Give priority to ways of helping her to return to her community , family , social network and daily life , as much as possible .