
Restoring Dignity
God uses the Church to transform lives, and women lead change in developing communities. Often used as a weapon of war, rape and sexual violence are common experiences in the places we work.
- In South Sudan, an estimated 70% of girls over 12 have been victims of sexual violence
Working with the local church, Tearfund is committed to:
- Stopping sexual violence
- Addressing the hidden physical, spiritual, emotional, and social wounds these women face
Over the last two years
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Step 1 Church Awareness
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Step 2 Facilitator Training
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Step 3 Continued Mentorship
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Step 4 Formation of Trauma Healing Groups
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Step 5Community Change
Church and community leaders undergo five days of intensive awareness training on their roles and responsibilities in the trauma healing process, SGBV reporting, and other topics.
Female leaders are trained to become trauma healing facilitators. Leaders are often survivors themselves, and share the principles they learn with their peers and those in their care over a six-month period. They learn topics such as the after-effects of mental health problems, basic psychological support, healing from gender-based violence, and biblical responses to trauma, healing, forgiveness, and protection.
Facilitators and leaders receive continued mentorship and support on sexual violence-related issues. This includes refresher training, visits, and sessions to discuss progress, successes, challenges, and learnings.
Trained church leaders and trauma healing facilitators form trauma healing groups in churches. These groups will handle cases of sexual violence in their churches and communities, and provide emotional, physical, social, and spiritual support.
Churches act as the catalyst for change, reaching out to their communities on the topic of gender-based violence. Radio talk shows, forums, and meetings led by healing facilitators aim to support community change.