School Safety & Learner Transport Unit

NWED PROVINCIAL SCHOOL SAFETY & LEARNER TRANSPORT UNIT

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The pain of being violated

There is nothing more isolating than the pain of violation. It forces victims to question themselves and their world because it destroys two essential beliefs: their sense of trust and their sense of control over their lives.
After the crime is over, victims begin to struggle with their reactions...they are often overcome with fear, anger, guilt and shame. They may feel contaminated and unworthy of help. Their relationships with family and friends can be seriously disrupted. If they become involved with the police and the courts, they may come to believe that no one understands or cares what has happened to them.

Four-step model, for trauma counselling

re-telling of the story
normalizing symptoms
working with the guilt
coping strategies.

Educators in their secondary nature are parents to the learners hence we describe them as being in loco-parentis, so they are in a much better position to identify learners who are being abused in any form.

In order for our intervention to be effective, there is a dire need for us to understand and be sensitive to the cultural ethos inherent in those whom we serve. It is important for us to learn from those we serve and to be willing to be truly empathic by allowing ourselves to enter their world with respect and value for who they are. Lastly, it is important to remember that our clients/patients are not a tabula-rasa, but rather a people whose state of mind has been altered by the violence and oppression they have undergone.

Adapted from the Centre from the Study of Violence and Reconciliation

Contact
SIDZANZANE MULTI MEDIA
073 841 3016/ 083 308 6538

CHILDLINE NORTH WEST
2nd Floor Jankra Building
3 Greyling Street
Potchefstroom
2531

Tel: 018 297 4411
Fax: 018 294 5735
Email: Alice Carnell