Turning points from victim to survivor

An examination of sexual violence narratives

Bibliographic Data

ID12690452
AuthorsMadison A Pollino (0000-0002-3558-745X, Bowling Green State University, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume23
Issue5
Pages1995-2010
Publication date2021-11-21
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueFeminist Media Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1468-0777 • E-ISSN: 1471-5902
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/14680777.2021.2006260
OpenAlexW3215614592
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited29

Sexual violence is a pervasive issue in contemporary culture, however, the tangible experiences of those affected is often ignored or misrepresented. Research shows that labeling oneself as a survivor creates a sense of empowerment, and yet, there is limited research about how an individual navigates the transition from self-perceived victimhood to survivorship. To address this gap, I examine the turning points—or patterns of change—following sexual violence to better understand this transition. I use qualitative content analysis alongside feminist standpoint theory to analyze the survivor stories on RAINN’s website. I specifically look at how individuals articulate their experiences following sexual violence. The results indicate three turning points in this transition, including social support, reclaiming one’s story, and understanding that healing does not have a set timeline. These results also demonstrate that the self-perception of survivorship is not instantaneous, and further, that survivorship comes in many forms

Art · Criminology · Empowerment · Narrative · Perception · Political science · Set (abstract data type · Sexual violence · Sociology · Survivorship curve · Timeline · Transition (genetics · Gender Studies · Gender, Feminism, and Media · History · Intimate Partner and Family Violence · Psychology · Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies · Social Psychology

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