Survivors of violence that support victims

Why do we have a specialized care model for women victims of violence? Read the following testimonies from some of our consultants who tell us how they felt when being treated by professionals who are not trained, who are unaware that gender violence has social and cultural roots or who act unethically.

“He told me that I am to blame for the violence I experienced for not having taken enough care of myself or for not having stopped sooner.” (Andrea)

“I suffered sexual violence and when I told the psychologist the facts, he began to touch himself while listening to my rape story.” (Paula)

“I don't know what happened to the lawyer, it's obvious that she knows a lot but when I tried to contact her she didn't answer me or told me not to worry, that she was doing things and in the end I didn't know anything about what was happening.”

What do victims of gender violence need? When women come to Idea Dignidad for help, many say they have depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. But when we begin the accompaniment we quickly realize that the majority of our clients have experienced different forms of violence or their discomfort is a product of social mandates that tell them how they should be and behave.

We live in a culture of normalized violence. For this reason, our support does not treat the effects of violence as an individual matter or isolated cases. It is a structural problem that has turned women and feminized bodies into the center of this violence.

The Ecuadorian State has a very weak response; there is currently no sustained public policy of prevention and protection. The budget has currently been reduced by 84%

Meanwhile, femicide rates have increased. That is why at Idea Dignidad we develop a comprehensive care model

Our model puts women at the center of the intervention but we understand that their discomfort comes from the society to which we belong. The validation of your experience through active listening and information about your rights and how to exercise them is essential for there to be a true recovery process. We consider that the person is an expert in his or her own life but needs occasional support to identify the potential of his or her own resources. Thanks to your support we will continue doing it.

Links:

• Video presentation of the Idea Dignidad Care Model