Ministry Programme Supporting Recovery for Female Survivors of Sexual Violence

The Ministry of Justice, through its Victim Services Branch (VSB), is helping girls and women heal from the trauma of sexual violence through the Overcomers in Action Programme.

This group counselling programme is designed to support the healing and restoration of women who have experienced sexual, physical, or emotional abuse. It is facilitated by professional counsellors trained in group therapy.

Director of the VSB, Dionne-Dawn Binns, tells JIS News that a large majority of the Branch’s clients are individuals who have experienced sexual offenses.

“So it was very critical for us to develop this programme because we saw where a lot of females going through this type of abuse could benefit from group counselling or group support intervention,” she says.

The programme is delivered over seven sessions and conducted in small groups of approximately 12 to 15 participants.

“These persons are in a healing environment where they can release certain feelings, emotions that they are having, in a constructive manner. So, naturally, these individuals would experience feelings of anger… bitterness because of what would have happened to them. We have developed the programme so that they have this type of outlet to be able to release these feelings,” Ms. Binns explains.

“The environment is also of such that they are taken through a number of group activities that help them to, not only release the pent-up emotions and the trauma that they are faced with but also it encourages them. They are able to bond, gain support from each other and understand that ‘[what] I’m experiencing, [I am not] alone in going through it’,” she adds.

Ms. Binns notes that this support and encouragement contributes meaningfully to the healing process.

“One of the things that we have seen is just how persons’ lives are restored. They gain the strength to be able to move on from the incident that would have taken place. They go back to leading balanced and productive lives and we just see where, even after the programme, they are able to then pour into others that would have gone through a similar [experience],” the Director states.

Ms. Binns also shares the story of a schoolgirl who, after surviving a traumatic sexual assault, found the courage to join the programme. Through guided support, she overcame her trauma and is now leading a productive life.

“She was in a state where she was very depressed, she could hardly function, could hardly get through her classes, [and was] unable to do her assignments. Having gone through the programme, [she] graduated and, afterwards, decided that she wanted to become a nurse because she wanted to be able to help others… in a similar way to how she was helped,” she shares.

“Before that, she really didn’t have any inclination towards it. Her counsellor shared with me some time ago that she reached out to her and updated her. She has successfully completed her course of study, has become a registered nurse, and is now in a place where she is helping others who [experience sexual abuse],” the Director adds.

Ms. Binns emphasises that beyond counselling, the emotional support provided through these intervention programmes plays a vital role in helping participants move past the trauma experienced.

“It takes them to another level where they become productive members of society instead of being stuck in a place of trauma and barely being able to survive each day,” she states.

To learn more about the programmes and services offered by the Victim Services Branch and its parish offices, visit the Ministry of Justice website at moj.gov.jm, call toll-free at 888-JUSTICE (888-587-8423), or contact (876) 946-0663/(876) 946-9287 for further assistance.