POLITICIZING SURVIVORS OF INCEST AND SEXUAL ABUSE - ANOTHER FACET OF HEALING

As both a feminist therapist and a survivor of incest, moving myself b eyond therapeutic issues into an area of public education has been cru cial to my own healing process. Receiving positive responses to my wor kshops and discussion groups, it became apparent that using a similar approach with clients who were survivors might be beneficial to their healing. As a member of The Counseling Center for Women, a feminist th erapy collective in Israel, I suggested we sponsor a public exhibition and a series of programs of the topic of incest and abuse. The Munici pality of Tel Aviv was approached to be its governmental sponsor. Enti tled ''Silent No More,'' the program moved therapists and clients from working in the privacy of therapy to a public forum. What began as an uncomplicated educational program became an emotional process and a p oliticizing of individuals to help others as well as themselves. Movin g from a feeling of shame to a sense of empowerment, the exhibition ga ve us a new sense of self-esteem and strength in our own abilities and our recovery process.