Breaking the silence and shame of sexual abuse: creative writing for therapeutic purposes (CWTP)

The Use of Autobiographical Poetry to Process Trauma, Promote Awareness, and Shift Views on Sexual Violence: Exploring the “Against Our Will” Campaign

“…Thematic analysis was used to identify six themes and one subtheme across the articles, regarding how poetry may be used to address sexual trauma. These were (1) as a therapeutic tool to facilitate healing (Evans, 2015, 2017; Ljubinkovic, 2010; Maeve, 2000; Minge, 2007; Sawyer, 2004; Sethi, 2011; Tilly & Caye, 2005; Williams, 1991; Wright & Thiara, 2019); as well as (1a) to offer hope (Evans, 2017; Ljubinkovic, 2010; Maeve, 2000; Minge, 2007; Sethi, 2011; Tilly & Caye, 2005). Poetry was also described as a means for (2) breaking silence surrounding trauma that was previously impossible to articulate (Davis, 2017; Evans, 2017; Ljubinkovic, 2010; Maeve, 2000; Minge, 2007; Sawyer, 2004; Tilly & Caye, 2005; Williams, 1991; Wright & Thiara, 2019).…”

“…These were (1) as a therapeutic tool to facilitate healing (Evans, 2015, 2017; Ljubinkovic, 2010; Maeve, 2000; Minge, 2007; Sawyer, 2004; Sethi, 2011; Tilly & Caye, 2005; Williams, 1991; Wright & Thiara, 2019); as well as (1a) to offer hope (Evans, 2017; Ljubinkovic, 2010; Maeve, 2000; Minge, 2007; Sethi, 2011; Tilly & Caye, 2005). Poetry was also described as a means for (2) breaking silence surrounding trauma that was previously impossible to articulate (Davis, 2017; Evans, 2017; Ljubinkovic, 2010; Maeve, 2000; Minge, 2007; Sawyer, 2004; Tilly & Caye, 2005; Williams, 1991; Wright & Thiara, 2019). This offers opportunities for (3) education and destigmatization (Davis, 2017; Desyllas, 2013; Evans, 2017; Maeve, 2000; Minge, 2007; Sethi, 2011; Tilly & Caye, 2005; Williams, 1991; Wright & Thiara, 2019).…”

“…Rather than to persuade, as traditional male authors have chiefly endeavored, women’s narratives have aimed to engage in a regular conversation with audiences through autobiographical discourse. Autobiographical accounts of women have strategically supplemented traditionally male narratives, from which historical knowledge is largely derived (Gooze, 1992), due to silence and stigma, particularly surrounding SV, as addressed in second-wave feminism (Wright & Thiara, 2019). Women’s narratives largely focus on their struggles and ability to rise above them (Gooze, 1992).…”

“…Likewise, narratives by women who are not renowned writers are emphasized over more patriarchally considered expert accounts. Thus, in line with second wave feminism, nondominant perspectives are prioritized and shared female identities and experiences are underscored (Gooze, 1992; Wright & Thiara, 2019) while key distinctions are made between the everyday lives of women and men in feminist autobiographical accounts (Gooze, 1992).…”

Powerful Methodologies/Powerful Pedagogy: Autoethnography and Dialogic Interviews in a WGS Empowerment Self-Defense Class

“…When students are empowered in a supportive academic setting to construct the past in ways that feel healing to them, such as through stories and poems, they can also transform how they consciously construct their identities in healthier ways for the future (Dodd, 2019). For survivors of gendered violence, the benefits of creative writing to aid in healing and establishing positive outlooks for the future are especially valuable (Williamson & Wright, 2018; Wright & Thiara, 2019).…”