REHABILITATION OF S/GBV SURVIVORS.

Rehabilitation is an essential part of trauma. The most rigorous ideals, stern from our ability to create the environment we deserve. In the case of GBV, like any other kind of traumatic incident, the place of rehabilitation cannot be over-emphasized.

Throughout the world, it is estimated that one in three women will experience some form of gender-based violence (GBV) throughout her lifetime, threatening her quality of life and overall wellbeing as she navigates healing and recovery after these experiences (Heise et al., 2002; Walsh et al., 2015)

The physical and emotional distress caused by GBV (i.e. intimate partner violence, sexual violence) can impact survivors long after their perpetrator is out of their life. So, the place of rehabilitation is more germane that the actual impact of violence.

Beyond physical and mental health symptoms, GBV can affect survivors on many personal, social, and spiritual levels, impacting their ability to connect to themselves, others, and the world around them (Sinko & Saint Arnault, 2019) According to Allen and Wozniak (2010), recovering from abuse is “a social, spiritual, cultural, and psychological process”

According to SAGE journals which identified seven main rehabilitation domains: (1) reconstructing identity, (2) reconnecting with the self, (3) regaining power and control, (4) cultivating worthiness, (5) relating to others, (6) rebuilding hope and a positive worldview, (7) finding peace.

On reconnecting with self, the concept hinges on restoring and regaining one's self image, self worth and role, on the journey to recovery.

For example, saying “oh, I got this.” Than saying, “well, I can't do this.” First, the survivor has to identify his/her place in trauma recovery.

Reconstructing one's identity encompasses being hopeful that, whatever had happened doesn't define you. At that point, the survivor should become open to the possibilities of healing and also be ready to leap when it comes.

Finding peace in terms of freedom and the current situation can hugely attribute to the rehabilitation of GBV survivors. If they can come to terms with the triggers, peace sets in,  and healing is facilitated.

Survivors of GBV can cultivate worthiness by developing a sense of belonging, self-love and finding fulfillment in whatever they find themselves doing. Eg, engaging in what makes them happy and going to where they are loves and accepted.

On relating with others, survivors could relate better when they give an open end discussion.

To cultivate the habit of meaningful communication with others, they should find their voices amid chaos and also feel the need to contribute to discussions without feeling left out.

Regaining power and control has to be the chiefest of all rehabilitation domains: this concept deals with the aspect of acceptance and the will to take over lost grounds.When a survivor is determined to regain control, he/she exists as an alternative means to survive, rather than rely on the environment.

Having stated these, It is important to note thatrehabilitation does not occur in a vacuum. While this measure was intended to serve as a way to better understand cross-sectional correlations with healing as well as a tool to more holistically evaluate GBV recovery interventions, caution should be used when interpreting these results without context.

The role of culture, social standing, and social context are important things to consider when evaluating one’s recovery process. Thus, future research should aim to use this measure to better understand culturally-relevant mechanisms, barriers, and facilitators of these healing goals. Safety and security has also been found to be an essential foundation before one works toward recovery (Sinko & Hughesdon, in press)