creating a better learning environment

This program uses a feminist approach that is essential for long-term, multi-dimensional change. An important element in our discussions is the theme of empowerment including the crucial understanding of the context in which violence occurs. "Empowerment" is necessarily a discussion about "power." Each survivor begins to see how her individual experiences fit within a larger picture of violence in society.

Each program element addresses issues common to survivors. Experiencing violence contributes to low self-esteem, inability to trust, disconnection from personal thoughts and feelings, and social isolation. Activities are designed to increase participants' body awareness, communication skills, and the ability to make choices and set their own goals while assessing their limits. Experiencing significant personal achievement leads to feelings of empowerment and mastery. When a woman accomplishes what a day earlier she thought was impossible, she sees the world anew. She develops the courage to take risks and the confidence to try again.

Because Women of Courage is designed specifically for women who are survivors of violence, it is designed to incorporate a number of educational principles relevant to these learners.

• The experience is holistic. It engages each woman's learning capabilities-- cognitive, emotional, physical, relational, spiritual and intuitive.

• Hands-on experience allows survivors to see real progress. Coupled with feedback from staff and others in the group, and the opportunity to process her experience alone, learning is immediately accessible.

• The heightened sense of experience often translates into long term remembrance of significant learning moments.

• The physical nature of this program is particularly important for survivors whose history of being in a body that is violated and abused is overwhelmingly negative. Many survivors disconnect body, mind and spirit. Women of Courage offers a woman a new way to exist in her body, controlled by her self and featuring mastery of new skills, sensory pleasure and physical achievement. The physical pain that often comes with uncharacteristic physical tasks can be re-framed to that of achievement of one's own defined goals rather than the result of externally imposed punishment.

• Built-in challenges, while in a context of emotional and physical safety, encourage progressive levels of risk taking for women whose experiences of risk taking have historically been fraught with anxiety, lack of support, ridicule or humiliation.