Did You Know?

Women accounted for 85% of all reported domestic violence victims in Canada in 2000.

Statistics Canada. Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile 2002.

1 out of every 2 women in Canada has been physically or sexually assaulted at least once (since the age of 16).

Statistics Canada. 1993. The Violence Against Women Survey. Ottawa: Ministry of Industry.

39% of violent marriages have children who have witnessed the violence. This means that more than 1 million children in Canada have witnessed violence in their own homes.

Statistics Canada. 1993. The Violence Against Women Survey. Ottawa: Ministry of Industry.

The Hidden Impacts of Trauma

The hidden impacts of trauma are ones that we all see in teaching. They are the coping skills abused women have learned in order to function in the world, the tools they needed to survive. They have been useful in the past; however, they may get in the way and take energy away from learning in the present.

Horsman names five hidden impacts:

1. an “all or nothing” approach to learning and relationships
2. a lack of presence
3. living in crisis mode
4. issues with trust and boundaries
5. silences/disclosures

Morrish, E., Horsman, J. & Hofer, J. (2002) Take on the Challenge: A Source Book from the Women, Violence and Adult Education Project. Boston: World Education. p. 17.

Creativity Can Help with Healing

“[Psychotherapist] Milton Erickson believed that people who are traumatized get stuck in one frame of reference, in one way of thinking about the world, themselves, and their difficulties. It is that “stuckness” that imprisons us because it knocks us out of connection with our bodies and sense. We feel as if we have lost the spirit from our lives.”

Markova, D. (1994) No Enemies Within: A Creative Process for Discovering What’s Right About What’s Wrong. Berkeley, CA: Conan Press.

“Engaging the whole person in creative learning processes can open possibilities for learners to move from the “stuck” place of trauma, and of being unable to read, and create more effective programming for literacy learning.”

Horsman, Jenny. (1999/2000) Too Scared to Learn: Women, Violence and Education. Toronto: McGilligan Books/Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. p. 169.

Resources for learners about the impacts of violence on learning

• Bass, E. and Davis, L. (1993) Beginning to Heal. New York: Harper and Row Publishers.
• Deltufo, Alisa. (1995). Domestic Violence for Beginners. New York: Writers and Readers Publishing.
• Hay, Louise L. (1985) Love Your Body – A Positive Affirmation Guide for Loving and Appreciating your Body. Carlsbad, CA: Hay House.
• Maracek, Mary. (1993) Breaking Free from Partner Abuse: Voices of Battered Women Caught in the Cycle of Domestic Violence. Buena Park, CA: Morning Glory Press.
• Nave, Yolanda. (1999) 64 Ways to Beat the Blues. From Blah to Bliss! Without St. John’s Wort, Shopping, or Too Much Ice Cream. New York: Workman Publishing.
• New Readers Press. (1994) Managing Stress. Syracuse: New Readers Press. (Distribution: Grass Roots Press Phone: 1-888-303-3213).
• NiCarthy, Ginny and Davidson, S. (1989) You Can Be Free: An Easy-To-Read Handbook for Abused Women. Seattle: Seal Press.
• St. Christopher House. (1997) The Right to Be Free: Woman Abuse in Intimate Relationships. Toronto: St. Christopher House Publications. (Order from: St. Christopher House, 248 Ossington Ave. Toronto, Ontario, M6J 3A2, Phone: (416) 539-9000).
• Silvera, Makeda. (1989) Growing Up Black: A Resource Manual for Black Youth. Toronto: Sister Vision Press.
• White, Evelyn C. (1994) Chain Chain Change: For Black Women in Abusive Relationship. Seattle: Seal Press.

Learn more about violence and learning

• Alleyne, V. (1997) There Were Times I Thought I Was Crazy: A Black Woman’s Story of Incest. Toronto: Sister Vision, Black Woman and Woman of Colour Press.
• Bass E. and Davis, L. (1988) The Courage to Heal: A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse. New York: Harper and Row.
• Beaton, R. & Cooper, N. (1997) A Culture-Based Approach to Learning: Addressing the Needs of First Nations Adult Learners in Toronto. Draft Document. Toronto: Adult Basic Education Unit.
• Capponi, P. (1992) Upstairs in the Crazy House: The Life of a Psychiatric Survivor. Toronto: Viking.
• Copeland, Mary Ellen and Harris, M. (2000) Healing the Trauma of Abuse: A Women’s Workbook. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications.
• Danica, E. (1996) Beyond Don’t: Dreaming Past the Dark. Charlottetown: Gynergy.
• Graveline, Fyre Jean. (1998) Circle Works: Transforming Eurocentric Consciousness. Halifax: Fernwood Publishing.
• Hanh, T.N. (1991) Peace is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life. New York: Bantam Books.
• Lloyd, B-A., Ennis, F. & Atkinson, T. (1994) Listen to Women in Literacy: The Power of Woman-Positive Literacy Work. Toronto: CCLOW (Halifax: Fernwood Publishing).
• Norton, M. and Malicky, G. (eds). (2000) Learning about Participatory Approaches in Adult Literacy Education: Six Research in Practice Studies. Edmonton: Learning at the Centre Press.
• Sapphire. (1996) Push. New York: Vintage Contemporaries/Vintage Books a Division of Random House Inc.