Experiencing
or witnessing violent crimes creates trauma within, and while dealing with the
impact of trauma cannot erase the trauma, it can help people manage the impact
it has on their lives. South Africa has been referred to as having a “culture
of crime” where violence is an acceptable way to deal life issues. Couple this
with the rational fear of further trauma through additional violence inevitably
heightens one’s level of ongoing trauma, creating a state of hyper-vigilance.
Trauma in
South Africa includes political violence, forced removal from homes and
torture. People living in South Africa have experienced such a sustained level
of trauma (from the many years of violence and apartheid) that it is considered
to be experiencing National Trauma Syndrome (NTS). Collectively, these types of
trauma have created a chronic state of stress that is caused by living in
long-term stressful situations. Trauma
has been woven deep within the society and continues to generate fear in many
communities.
South Africa’s
patriarchal history and perspective of women being subordinate creates the
violence surrounding those experiences creates gender equity trauma.
My work with
participants will be focused on Trauma-Informed Care and Practice which focuses
on the neuroglial, psychological, biological and social effects of trauma. The importance of focusing on the “3 E’s” of
trauma, event, experience of event, and the effect it has on a person will be
emphasized.
Trauma
informed programs include: knowing the
deep impact of trauma and suggestions for recovery, recognizing the signs and
symptoms of trauma on the client, their family and staff who work with them,
how to incorporate trauma-informed policies and procedures as well as ways to
avoid being re-traumatized.
Some of the
key principles of trauma informed approaches that will be addressed includes:
safety, trust, transparency, peer support, empowerment, cultural, historic and
gender issues.
Sites referenced include:
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