Facilitating Recovery for Women

Sexuality for many incarcerated women has often been a treacherous journey of early childhood abuse, partner violence, and subsequent trauma related physical and mental health disorders. Unresolved sexual violence often results in self-destructive patterns of substance abuse, eating disorders, and self-mutilation. These desperate attempts to cope and survive can lead women into homelessness, sexual exploitation, and consequential risk of imprisonment.

Without addressing the role of sexuality in rehabilitation and clinical treatment, repeat offending and high risk behaviors are likely to continue and can threaten the lives of women served.

This workshop will advance the professional’s ability to work with survivors of sexual trauma. Participants will be provided information and tools on positive approaches and effective approaches to working with women with multiple challenges due to past sexual experiences. A short video depicting the lives of incarcerated women who have lived with sexual violence will be offered as an avenue for discussion and collaboration on moving forward in this imperative area of rehabilitation.

Exercises from Sanctuary for Change, an educational model aimed at enhancing women’s capacity to explore, define, and implement healthy sexually choices and thereby reduce high-risk relapse behaviors will be presented. Other models for trauma intervention are to be offered as additional clinical resources.

Goals