Reclaiming the Siren as Heroine: The Power of Myth, Art and Ritual to Heal from Sexual Trauma
Ellyn Roberts Bell & Stacey Ault Bell | September 10 | 9:00-10:00 AM | Room 2584
Numerous women in our culture have experienced shame, degradation, and despair as a result of having been sexually traumatized early in life. Some women end up in unhappy marriages or abusive relationships; some fall prey to a variety of addictions, silently or publicly; and some end up working as activists, social workers or sex workers. For many, these paths converge and cross. And for many other women, their situations—and the reasons that have brought them there—are secrets that have no voice.
This workshop will provide information on healing sexual trauma through myth, art, and metaphor. It will also outline steps into building solidarity with others in order to enhance the personal and collective voice of oppressed girls and women. There is a huge need to understand the complexities that underscore our human trafficking movements, and to build camaraderie with sex worker activism. The united voice that understands the roots and history of patriarchal thought and violence against women is far stronger than the lone voice. It is through deeper understanding of the interplay of race, class, gender, and socioeconomic status that we can begin to address the roots of the problems that we face, and find solutions through collective work and consciousness shifts. Participants will gain insights and practice into using transformative elements and skills that convert personal story and pain into art, ritual, and inclusive power.