Bloom where you are planted.

-Mary Engelbreit

The healing journey to survival

SOS has identified six stages along the path to survival with the ultimate goal of healing after experiencing sexual violence. The duration for each phase is unique to the specific survivor’s trauma—and the possibility to regress stages is an unfortunate yet common reality of PTSD. With a commitment to the necessary inner healing work and an adequate support system, any victim of sexual violence can ultimately regain her power from the point of feeling buried and bloom into a flourishing, fulfilled life!

In addition to providing survivors with empowering tools throughout their healing journey, SOS is committed to strengthening their surrounding support systems (i.e. partners, friends, families, or allies) by offering viable resources to improve advocacy, empathy, and assistance.

 
 

  • covered up or repressed; overwhelmed beyond hope of recovery

    common characteristics: experiencing PTSD, suffering from depression or anxiety, harboring self blame, feeling overwhelming or contradictory emotions

  • placed or fixed in a specified position; positioned (to grow)

    common characteristics: finding inspiration from other survivors; identifying glimpses of light in the darkness, desire to progress in healing journey

  • established deeply and firmly; began to draw nourishment from [environment] through roots; having taken root

    common characteristics: welcoming therapy and other healing techniques, finding community and gaining strength with other survivors/allies, obtaining hope despite unresolved circumstances

  • continue to live or exist in spite of, especially in spite of danger or hardship

    actively healing: utilizing proper tools to navigate survival, committing to the inner work, exhibiting bravery in the pursuit of justice and healing

  • coming into or being in full beauty or health; flourish; becoming radiant and glowing

    embodiment of beauty for ashes: having risen from the remains of despair, unbound by shame; exhibiting a renewed sense of self (worth)

  • growing or developing in a healthy way, especially as the result of a particularly favorable environment; thriving

    experiencing a level of healing that produces the fruit to plant seeds of empowerment in others; having the ability to enrich others along their healing journey

 

B.L.O.O.M. in P.O.W.E.R.

bloom¹ | ˈblüm | verb [no object] come into or be in full beauty or health; flourish

pow·er | ˈpou(ə)r | noun 2 the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events

 

visual representation of a lotus blooming in power