Welcome to our website! Please know that all that we do comes from and is focused on survivor wellbeing.
This page is always under construction.
Trauma Recovery pathways
Our survivors from all of our international sites are teaching us about their recovery journey. we have learned that there are key components of revovery (for more detail, see Sinko, et al, 2024).
Establishing foundational security, safety and stability
Build skills for managing trauma responses
Reauthoring making and integrating trauma into a healthy self
Self-development and reconnection with the self, others and the world
Building support systems and (re) developing healthy relationship skills
(Re) discovering autonomy and personal power
We have also learned that there are pathways that survivors may be on as they move toward healing.
Recovery Actions Checklist that you can use to give you ideas about recovery actions you might want to try. Blogs about the recovery process. Frequently asked questions. Links to social media places you can go to tell your story and hear others’ experiences.
Recovery actions
There are so many things we all do to enhance our health and well being. In the recovery actions goal setting activity, we list recovery actions you may be doing, or might want to try. The list includes activities other survivors described to us. Go to the link and reflect on these actions, and write yourself some notes and goals.
Resources
Articles
Common Feelings of Survivors of Sexual Assault: https://www.pvaz.net/DocumentCenter/View/8943/Common-Feelings-of-Survivors-of-Sexual-Assault
- This article explains emotions that are commonly felt after experiencing trauma.
How can Therapy Help?: https://www.rainn.org/articles/how-can-therapy-help
- This article explains how therapy is beneficial to helping survivors.
Surviving after abuse: https://www.womensaid.org.uk/the-survivors-handbook/surviving-after-abuse/
- This article provides tips and information on how to look after and take care of yourself as a survivor.
Telling Loved Ones About Sexual Assault: https://www.rainn.org/articles/telling-loved-ones-about-sexual-assault
- This article provides tips and explains how to go about telling close friends and family about sexual assault.
5 Powerful Self-Care Tips for Abuse and Trauma Survivors: https://www.thehotline.org/resources/5-powerful-self-care-tips-for-abuse-and-trauma-survivors/
- This article provides information for survivors on how to take care of themselves after experiencing trauma.
Books
The Sexual Healing Journey: A Guide For Survivors Of Sexual Abuse by Wendy Maltz: https://www.google.ca/books/edition/The_Sexual_Healing_Journey/QLMSa6Y7tSAC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=inauthor:%22Wendy+Maltz%22&printsec=frontcover
- This book helps survivors heal and improve their relationships.
Complementary Healing Strategies to Counselling
Exercise and Meditation Together May Help Sexual Assault Victims Heal: https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/exercise-meditation-help-sexual-assault-victims-heal-study
- Meditation helps sexual assault survivors heal because traumatic memories are reprogrammed to be less stressful.
Healing arts: Recovering from sexual assault through creativity: https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2020/02/18/art-heals-assault/
- Art allows survivors to express their emotions and work through the pain they have experienced.
How Sexual Assault Survivors Are Using Fitness As Part of Their Recovery: https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/how-sexual-assault-survivors-are-using-fitness-recover
- Exercise such as yoga and self-defence allows survivors to be in control of their bodies.
Sexual assault survivor creates specialized yoga to heal: https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/09/health/turning-points-zabie-yamasaki-sexual-assault-yoga/index.html
- Yoga helps people feel safe, comfortable, and confident in their own skin.
The use of dance movement therapy for the healing of trauma: https://www.awakeningbodywisdom.com/resources/articles/a-circle-to-connect
- Dance helps sexual assault survivors heal because it allows them to be more comfortable with their body.
15 Unexpected Benefits of Volunteering That Will Inspire You: https://www.thebalancesmb.com/unexpected-benefits-of-volunteering-4132453
- Volunteering can give survivors mental stimulation and a sense of purpose, which can help them heal.
Organization Websites
Awakening Body Wisdom: https://www.awakeningbodywisdom.com/
- This organization uses dance therapy as a way for trauma survivors to feel empowered with their bodies.
Exhale to Inhale: https://www.exhaletoinhale.org/
- This organization provides trauma-informed yoga classes to survivors to help them heal.
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN): https://www.rainn.org/
- This is America’s largest anti-sexual violence organization which helps survivors by providing them with support from professionals.
Sexual Assault Center: https://www.sacenter.org/
- This organization provides trauma-informed therapy services, spreads awareness on sexual assault, and provides support to survivors.
Transcending Sexual Trauma Through Yoga: http://www.zabieyamasaki.com/about/transcending-sexual-trauma-through-yoga
- This organization uses yoga to help heal trauma survivors by allowing them to feel connected to their bodies.
Sexual Assault Centers, Crisis Lines, and Support Services
Victim Connect Resource Center: https://victimconnect.org/resources/national-hotlines/
- This website provides national hotlines to connect survivors with support networks and resources.
Workshops and Programs
Groups And Workshops: https://thebluebench.org/get-help/for-myself/groups-and-workshop-descriptions.html
- The first seven workshops on this website are for survivors and to help them recover.
Trauma Recovery Program (TRP)-Self Guided Approach-Self Care: https://psychink.com/trauma-courses/trauma-recovery-program/
- This program is to help survivors heal and manage their symptoms.
Share your story
We have partnered with our friends at Our Wave to create safe and inspiring ways to share your story and read the stories and messages of hope from others.