A journey to healing: conversations of women survivors of sexual abuse
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Authors
Gunter, Rianda
Issue Date
2009-08-25T10:46:56Z
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Pastoral narrative group conversations , Post-modern practical theology , Survivors of childhood sexual abuse , Social construction , Feminist theology , Participatory action research
Alternative Title
Abstract
A journey to healing is a story of women survivors of sexual abuse. Through narrative
pastoral conversations a group or community of concern was formed that witnessed how
these women managed to move by re-telling from problem-saturated dominant lifestories
to rich alternative stories of survival. Post-modern practical theology formed the
epistemological backdrop of this study with the focus on taking a prophetically, ethical
and political stance.
The group deconstructed patriarchal knowledge that has been dominant in constructing
understanding of women. Deconstruction lead to the centralising of previously
subjugated knowledge about themselves and made multiple identities and preferred
realities possible. Feminist theology's liberating spirit contributed to this participator
action research where women moved from being right to doing right. The monthly
celebration teas hosted by the group were instrumental in the healing of other women
who have experienced sexual violation.
Description
Citation
Gunter, Rianda (2009) A journey to healing: conversations of women survivors of sexual abuse, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/812>