Verbalizing silent screams: The use of poetry to identify the belief systems of adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse

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).…”

“…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). Furthermore, reading and writing survivor poetry can promote (4) agency or empowerment (Desyllas, 2013; Evans, 2017; Ljubinkovic, 2010; Maeve, 2000; Minge, 2007; Moller, 2012; Sawyer, 2004; Sethi, 2011; Tilly & Caye, 2005), (5) solidarity (Desyllas, 2013; Evans, 2017; Ljubinkovic, 2010; Maeve, 2000; Minge, 2007; Sethi, 2011; Tilly & Caye, 2005); and (6) a call for advocacy (Desyllas, 2013; Evans, 2017; Maeve, 2000; Minge, 2007; Sethi, 2011).…”

“…While historical definitions of autobiographies formally excluded entries in diaries and journals, in 1980 Estelle Jelinek pointed out that women have long documented their lives in this fragmented manner, owing to the disjointed, episodic nature of their lived experiences (Gooze, 1992), which is consistent with how trauma is recalled (Williams, 1991). 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.…”

Lorsque la communication se bute au secret

“…Cela dit, quelques-uns des écrits recensés voient dans le jeu ou l'expression artistique des approches très valables, non seulement pour établir la communication avec l'enfant, mais aussi d'un point de vue thérapeutique. Il convient toutefois d'insister sur le fait que ces approches sont généralement proposées comme des options de rechange ou subsidiaires à la communication verbale (Malchiodi (1990); Sagar (1990); Simonds (1994), Williams (1991)).…”