In this article, we learn the different approaches a therapist utilizes to treat his patients who are victims of abuse, oppression, violence and or sexual assault. Throughout the article, we have seen many of the cases where the abuser is a close family member or very close friends.

According to the article, we learn that there is a thing called “healthy resistance” meaning “resistance to violence and oppression is a symptom of health and health-inducing” A very important approach the therapist used was to provide the victims with a safe environment where they can express resistance. Which will help them to understand that they did everything they could, and, in the event of an assault they suffered was not their fault! Resistance is a form of defense that can happen in many ways, it is not always physical fighting, it can be as simple as refusing to submit.

The article shares the story of Joanne who was raised in an abusive home, where her mother was constantly being assaulted and physically abused by her father on a regular basis.  She shared stories where she would cling to her mother’s leg so her dad won’t push her down the stairs and her siblings made a hiding place to protect their mother. Witnessing these kinds of behaviors at home at such an early age would affect these children mentally and will make it hard for them to be able to trust a partner in the future, considering the type of example they had growing up. As Joanne gets older she became very rebellious however, she started to understand that she did not want to be in a surrounding that resembles home. It was important to her that others were being treated with the utmost respect because that was not common in her home as a child. Through it all, she still had compassion for her father. One can say she became an activist for humanity, she was a “devout anti-racist” she “exposed frauds” and was committed to having a different life than she did at her childhood home.

This is one of the examples provided by the author to show that resistance does not always come from the victims directly but it can come from loved ones. Joanne the daughter along with her brothers resisted for their mother, by making a safe hiding place, to prevent their father from abusing their mom.

SMALL ACTS OF LIVING: EVERYDAY RESISTANCE TO VIOLENCE AND OTHER FORMS OF OPPRESSION

 

Either physically, mentally or verbally it is our civil responsibility to protect ourselves from violent acts. I felt the pain of Joanne, Katie and all women who shared their wonderful stories. We all deserve to be treated with respect, love and care.

The reading emphasizes on the various kind of therapy for individuals who go through or in their lifetime experiences act of violence.

Also inline with Liz Kelly(1998), a researcher who also explored how 60 women survived, coped with, and resisted rape, incest , sexual abuse and domestic violence.

I strongly agree with Allan wade view on how victims or individuals should approach violent abuse. Speaking out will not bring any shame but rather raise an awareness.

It heals oneself and provide hope for others.

We also need to push for personal resistance, which I do agree. Resisting is not only physically but verbally and mentally.

I felt sad for Joanne but was inspired with her strength, resistance and coping energy.

Mostly, violent in homes always have great impact on the children. Why should a young girl be the one to settle violent among parents and protect siblings!

Absolutely wrong. Even though what she went through made her strong, I think offering people the opportunity to share their story and voice out without been judgmental on them helps a lot . Protecting her mum from fallen got me thinking how strong she was.

Also, Katie’s marriage. Also had a terrible hunting past with his Dad and uncles. Even though she went through abuse but also created self resistance to stay away from her abusers. I was happy when she started listening, accepting defeating thoughts and the willingness to rise out of the pain.  

       Katie , Joanne and the 60 women that were all interviewed really has inspired me and also widely expose me to understanding that Violent Abuse is really out there.

Everyone could be abuse . we all need to rise and fight these resistance. Is unacceptable.

Very interesting but eye opening reading. Did learn alot from it.  

 

The reading hits hard when those survivors explain how they resist different kinds of abuse. For example, Joanne did whatever opposite as her father asked to respond to his abusive behavior and Pam will imagine the ear of a blue elephant when her father sexually assaults her.

Domestic violence is way more harmful than we think. Self-identity, independence, will be incomplete due to it, making them even difficult to adapt to adulthood. For those who have been sexually abused and domestically abused still have to live with the perpetrators, their path of recovery will be even harder.

As Allan Wade said it was important to show that persons continue to resist, no matter in a physical or mental way. Yes, we have to resist and stop to make it happen again. Healing from sexual abuse can feel awful. If healing begins by telling, then we have to encourage victims to talk and make telling safe.

Something I learned from the passage is that feeling broken suicidal is not limited to the traumas of child sexual abuse, it can be more.  If someone willing to talk about their stories, as a listener, it is important for me to courage and makes them feel “safe” again.

This passage really made my mind pivot away from being close minded but also to be more self-observant. As Wade notions, individuals speak up for themselves and resist when experiencing unpleasant treatment either physically, verbally, or mentally. Personally, I feel that people have to resist especially in the society we live in today in order to be heard and not belittled. It is a shame that things have become like that but it is almost as if, if you don’t, you will be taken advantage of and always be oppressed by your superior (whomever that may be).

In Joanne’s situation, she felt obligated to respect her father and just witness the traumatizing and abusive behaviors he would conduct in their household until she put her foot down. She had to resist her father’s toxic presence and negative comments in order to properly gain the respect she deserved as a person and as his daughter. Until Wade brought it to Joanne’s attention that she was in fact being resistant against her father, it struck her in surprise because no one thinks that acts so minor would be deemed as resistant.

Advocating for yourself and speaking up are forms of resistance, it doesn’t always have to have a negative connotation behind it or essentially be physical. Individuals tend to use resistance as a coping method to withstand  difficulties they are having or any unwanted behaviors from exterior subjects. In some situations, oppression is an underlying idea that some races feel obligated to feel due to their complexion or ancestry. I feel that resisting is a strong action that everyone must take in order to be heard or taken into consideration in modern day society. Everyone resists either if it’s in a relationship, friendship, in a workplace, etc. it is inevitable and quite needed to survive, I’d say.

Resistance is healing. Self healing, if you ask me. It is quite natural and crucial to everyday life for humans.

Reading this article was emotional. I have been for a lot through my life, I was bullied for years in schools. I always regretted going to therapy I didn’t want to be judged. I suffered from depression, some days I didn’t want to get up, I didn’t want to school. But even though I was going through that I didn’t want to go to therapy because I didn’t want to be medicated or be seen as someone who is sick and not capable of doing anything.

I started watching videos on youtube about self-help, then I started to talk about what I was going through with a friend who was going through something similar, I read self-help books. Then after all that I notice that I was not the only one who was going through depression and emotional problems.

Sometimes the healing process is painful and it takes time, and little by little is how a person can be healed.

This reading…was a great way to end such a deep, sensitive and intimate course. I love that healing was the last topic to perfectly tie all the lessons together. This is article in particular was such an interesting read, in a sense that things stated were in a way already known or felt. In life I’m sure most people have came to a point where they suggested to someone or was suggested therapy, or asked what their form of coping was. There is a part in the reading where it states “ the assumption of pre-existing ability; this is the view that persons attending therapy already possess the inherent ability to respond effectively to the difficulties they face.” with this being said..everything makes sense ( to me). I don’t want to state anything as being the ‘answer’ everyone has their own opinions and experiences….There’s a reason why your body vomits when it thinks you consumed poison. There is an innate sense for survival in your body. If you ever get gut feelings (in forms of anxiety or nerves..etc) try giving in to them, especially if its in situation that questions your safety. For those who experience violence within a relationship, homes, or within yourselves (from a person who has experienced this as well)..I just wanted to restate the portion I quoted..  you already possess the inherent ability to respond effectively to the difficulties you face. Let yourself protect yourself. We’re all in the process of healing. 

It’s been a great course Professor Cahen !!