The silence of women survivors of sexual abuse : toward a healing of the community

Diplôme Master d'études avancées The silence of women survivors of sexual abuse : toward a healing of the community eng 2025-06-10 author Ayemi Tughunaka Khehoi 428070 director Ghazaryan Drissi Ani 871286 director Schlenker Christian 0009-0008-1674-9151 430145 services communs de la faculté autonome de théologie protestante (FT) 41 <p>Sexual abuse is mostly taboo in Naga society. Why do so many survivors feel silenced? Nagaland is deeply bound to traditional and communal values, which prioritize harmony within the community above personal experiences, with the church playing a significant role in shaping society’s norms. The silence after a survivor’s experience is typically maintained to preserve the family and community’s honour. Sexual abuse is not only an individual experience but also a reflection of the family’s reputation as a whole. The silence can be attributed to a combination of silence imposed by self, social pressure, and the lack of support from institutions. Certain survivors silence themselves in order not to incur personal shame or dishonour, while others are pressured by societal norms to maintain the community’s reputation. Thus, silence becomes a dual burden; a mechanism to avoid personal shame and excommunication from society. To break the silence, survivors must undergo a healing process instead of suffering in silence. Contrary to healing, the status quo rather is the survivor must keep everything inside and suffer silently.</p> <p>This Master thesis will seek to explore the silence of women survivors and examine ways in which the church, as a community, can be an agent of healing for survivors, emphasizing its ability to provide psychological and spiritual healing as well as advocacy.</p> Dewey 200 Master of Advanced Studies in Ecumenical Studies 6 Faculté autonome de théologie protestante 6 false f3b332f7-335d-4452-b1e4-7fd0d4979f0f Master thesis Private AYEMITughunaka_Khehoi_MAS24-25_Page.pdf 513838 application/pdf 26fcee091a254ea19e5d79e714751dfbf5e23cfcd687b597a62e9fe31fea0528 closedAccess Faculté autonome de théologie protestante

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Ayemi, Tughunaka Khehoi