“More Training Is Not the Answer for Survivors”: A Healing Justice Framework for Women of Color Survivors of Gender-Based Violence in Leadership

Dayanara Marte

doi:10.3390/genealogy5020036

Abstract

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a global issue that is particularly prevalent among women of color. Many providers in GBV-based organizations are also survivors of GBV, which affects the way these providers lead social service and social justice organizations. Yet, many institutions at the intersections of GBV fail to address the impact that GBV has on the mind, body, and spirit of the women who work there. Using historical trauma as a lens, this qualitative study incorporates semi-structured interviews with women of color in leadership to explore the various ways trauma manifests itself among survivors of GBV. Thematic analysis with 10 women of color survivors of GBV in leadership revealed four ways trauma manifests itself, how it impacts the women who have experienced it, and survivors’ need for personal and organizational healing. In addition, a conceptualization of a healing justice model that these findings inform is presented. This article has implications for GBV survivors working on the frontlines of GBV-based organizations along with implications for how the organization can facilitate healing among employees.

Highlights

Introduction in LeadershipGenealogy 5: 36.Gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the world’s greatest public health and human rights violations
Twenty women in the United States experience intimate partner violence every minute, one in three women have been victims or survivors of domestic violence in their lifetime, and 20,800 calls are made to domestic violence hotlines daily (National Coalition against Domestic Violence NCADV)
Adults with a history of abuse in childhood have a hard time accessing social cues to produce intimate relationships; as a result, these individuals might develop other coping mechanisms such as disassociation, fear, denial, avoidance, anxiety, and an inability to identify emotions (Zamir and Lavee 2015). This proves difficult for leaders who have experienced GBV because leaders must demonstrate a mastery of social cues, such as being able to identify and communicate feelings, to develop healthy intimate relationships with staff and clients in caregiving organizations

Summary

Introduction

Introduction in LeadershipGenealogy 5: 36.Gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the world’s greatest public health and human rights violations. Twenty women in the United States experience intimate partner violence every minute, one in three women have been victims or survivors of domestic violence in their lifetime, and 20,800 calls are made to domestic violence hotlines daily (National Coalition against Domestic Violence NCADV). This number is increasing for women of color, increasing the probability that women in caregiving and social justice organizations and institutions—such as social workers, service providers, clinicians, consultants, advocates, organizers, activist, and executive directors—are survivors themselves. Black, Hispanic, Asian Pacific Islander and Native American women of color are the most disproportionately affected and vulnerable population in the world

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Conclusion