I've also created a sense of mastery when it comes to my field work.
A few things I've "mastered" in regards to my field work and my partnership with Not Abandoned:
-Met with the Not Abandoned staff.
This was great as I got to share my personal journey of mental healthcare. I heard from Alex and Jeff and listened to their suggestions on how I could be a resources/of use/serve the organisation. Additionally I was able to hear a little more of the history behind NA, the types of stories that stem from their experiences and what issues girls who decide to leave or escape the sex-trafficing scene will face as they move forward. We talked about what the counselling curriculum could look like and how Jess and I could help with this as they try to create and implement this into their centre in Thailand. Additionally they shared with us practices that didn't seem to work in terms of therapy that they had already tried, what wouldn't fit culturally etc. This meeting was very useful and it was exciting to be moving forward.
-Reading books, watching documentaries.
Last week I checked out two books by Bryant-Davis, the first, some of you are familiar with: Thriving in the Wake of Trauma, and a new one to me is Surviving Sexual Violence. Both books take a look at what it's like to survive and cope with trauma. The second book is also very important as it directly relates to violence that stems out of sexual trauma. It is very insightful and it is a good reminder that though perhaps the actual sexual encounter is not "violent" from the world's perspective, it is still violent in that it is a violation of body, mind and soul. (Also, generally these sexual encounters ARE physically violent, which just adds another layer).
I am a documentary freak. I literally will choose to watch a documentary before bed every night, but sometimes Joel gets his way and I let him choose. Luckily for me, he fell asleep early last weekend so I was able to watch this very insightful and powerful film:
This film looks at the systemic problem of "Gendercide" or the murder of female babies, in China and India. While the film mostly deals with the inferiority of females in these two countries, it also points out the fact that many unwanted girls end up in the sex-trafficking industry. This film claims that the only way change is possible is through educating cultures that women are just as valuable as men. There must be a cultural shift in the minds and traditions of rural India and mainland China. If leaders, men, educators, fathers, mothers etc. will believe that girls are just as important as boys, there is a chance that the gendercide could end. However this inferiority has roots so deep in culture and tradition that sometimes it seems hopeless. If systemic change was possible, we would see brothel numbers diminish as now these girls and women would be valued in the home, work place and in society as a whole. If you have a free hour and a half I highly recommend watching this film-it's available on Netflix. It made me realize how lucky, blessed, grateful I am to have been born into a family and culture that accepts women and girls (the U.S. still has a ways to go) and that I was allowed choice, opportunity, education and and have been loved and valued my whole life. I am grateful.
Thursday night I am attending Not Abandon's fundraising event in Woodinville, so I'm sure I will post something about that experience. It's going to be a powerful night-if you'd like to join Jess, Rachel and myself, let one of us know and we can give you details.
Bless you.
