Exploring the Experiences of Regional and Rural Revictimized Women in a Group Empowerment Program

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Public Health

Background:

• Sexual revictimization negatively impacts women's wellbeing.
• Limited evidence exists on interventions to support healing and reduce revictimization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore regional and rural women's experiences with the group-based empowerment "Shark Cage" program.
• To assess the program's effectiveness in addressing revictimization through empowerment, boundary setting, and assertiveness.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study using participant observations and semi-structured interviews (N=11) pre and post an 8-week program.
• Participants had access to external therapeutic support.

Main Results:

• The program fostered connections among women with shared experiences, reducing isolation.
• Participants benefited from developing and practicing assertiveness and boundary-setting skills to reduce revictimization.
• Recovery was influenced by emotions, social connections, cultural norms, and place-based relations.

Conclusions:

• Group-based empowerment programs can effectively support women healing from sexual revictimization.
• Skill development in assertiveness and boundary setting is crucial for reducing revictimization.
• Holistic factors including social and cultural contexts are integral to recovery processes.