“I’d Go from a Mountain Top and Tell My Story”: Perspectives of Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence on Storytelling for Social Change

Abstract

Storytelling has well-documented therapeutic benefits for survivors of trauma. However, little is known about intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors’ perspectives on sharing their stories. This article presents findings based on the analysis of 26 qualitative interviews with individuals who had experienced IPV regarding first-person story sharing. Participants described telling their stories as an act of healing and empowerment. They also named ways that storytelling can challenge societal views and structures that perpetuate IPV. Based on our findings, we offer suggestions for supporting survivor expertise and storytelling as part of a survivor-centered approach to IPV advocacy and social change.

Voices of Female Sexual Assault Survivors: Striving for Survivor-Centered Reporting Processes in the U.S. Criminal Justice System

“…Listening to the voices of both reporters and nonreporters, we provided insight into possible improvement of current SA report practices. Similar to the systemic perspective seen in the narratives of survivors of intimate partner violence (Dichter et al, 2022), the voices of the SA survivors in our study highlighted the interconnectedness between survivors and SART members, social institutions/organizations, and the larger society. When positive changes occur at all levels, survivors will be more likely to report their assaults and stay engaged in the reporting process.…”

“…Therefore, we believed it was important to assess previously collected survivors’ experiences to determine additional recommendations to enhance these survivor-centered approaches. Past research has shown storytelling to be a powerful tool for survivors of intimate partner violence because it fosters empowerment and social change (Dichter et al, 2022). Additionally, researchers have demonstrated the power of stepping out of silence and shame by highlighting how storytelling transformed survivors into proactive SA advocates as they regained power and freedom and moved further through their healing process (Strauss Swanson & Szymanski, 2021).…”

The Narrative Shelter for Young People with Childhood Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence: A Concept for Creating Opportunities for Storytelling, Storylistening, and Resilience

“…For Charon (2006), the author of Narrative Medicine, the telling of pain and suffering, and being heard and validated, enables people to give voice and frame to their experiences of illness, in order to escape its dominion over their lives. Research in trauma and violence has confirmed that these theoretical tenets can be applied outside of illness contexts and showed that supportive factors that contributed to a positive storytelling experience included the presence of a sympathetic, non-judgemental listener, and a supportive social environment (Dichter et al, 2022;Infusino, 2014;Mannell et al, 2018).…”

“…Therefore, sharing their stories, being heard, and being taken seriously have emerged as contributing factors to fostering resilience in children and YP exposed to domestic and family violence (Callaghan et al, 2019;Fellin et al, 2019;Grover, 2005;Hines, 2015). However, no specific model has been developed to promote storytelling for YP with CEIPV as it exists for adult IPV survivors (Crann & Barata, 2021;Delker et al, 2020;Dichter et al, 2022;Wilson & Goodman, 2021;Wood, 2017). Focusing on this young age group has multiple implications for preventing and addressing potential cumulative victimization and enhancing cumulative resilience for the next generation of adults committed to preventing IPV.…”

“…Although many YP manage these experiences, coping with the persistent pain related to their CEIPV can drain the young person's energy, leaving little for telling the story (Delker et al, 2020). In addition, the shame, suffering, and negative sense of self resulting from years of CEIPV may inhibit the young voice (Dichter et al, 2022). Many YP find it difficult to disclose their CEIPV because they are skeptical that anyone can do anything to help (Howell et al, 2015).…”