Holistic approach helps women cope with abuse

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In a quiet suburban neighbourhood in Saskatoon, thousands of women have embarked on a healing journey, trying to come to terms with a painful past. Visitors to Tamara's House, a support network for adult women survivors of childhood sexual abuse, are welcome to share their experiences in a safe and comforting environment. From its emotional release room to the complementary care room where services like reflexology and hand spa massages are provided, Tamara's House aims to take care of the mind and body of each woman that passes though its doors.

"We're a non-traditional organization. We are a feminist-based organization ... so our whole philosophy is based on an understanding that child sexual abuse is about an abuse of a position of trust and power. And so in order to support women and healing, we do not place ourselves in a position of authority or power over the woman," said Karen Wood, director of Tamara's House. "We work to create a space for the women to find their own path to their own power and healing ... we try and provide a therapeutic environment, but therapy comes from the women themselves, not from us giving it to them."

Tamara's House was established in 1991 by Kathy Storrie, a sociology professor at the University of Saskatchewan. Storrie began organizing meetings for her students after they submitted essays that described their own experiences as sexually abused children. Eventually, the support network expanded and Tamara's House was born. In 2000, a new program called Harmony Song was created in order to reach out to Aboriginal women.

The idea for Harmony Song was first developed by Elders and members of the Aboriginal community. Funded by the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, Harmony Song not only provides support for survivors of abuse, it helps women deal with the effects of the residential school experience. Others come to Harmony Song to seek support in dealing with their addictions. The program allows women to work through their personal issues through traditional Aboriginal practices such as sweat lodges and two different types of sharing circles. The talking/ healing circle encourages women to share any issues they choose. The sharing/grieving circle deals directly with the legacy of residential schools. Both circles include the presence of an Elder to provide guidance to participants.

Tracy Wilson, coordinator of Harmony Song, said that having an Aboriginal staff running Harmony Song has made it easier for Aboriginal women to talk more freely about their experiences.

"You're talking about survivors, so anything that disrupts their trust network hinders their growth. So coming into Tamara's House, which in the beginning was a non-Aboriginal agency, we weren't reaching any Aboriginal women. So just the Aboriginal staff being here allows them to take a risk on that trust," said Wilson.

"A lot of times, they do tell us a lot of stuff in the first initial meeting and then it's up to them what they want to share when they come back. We don't force them into counseling or anything but we tell them that they're going to be okay here and they're more than welcome here and there have been people that walked before them."

Women are also encouraged to create their own arts and crafts as part of the healing process.

"We do a lot of crafts. We've made skirts in-house, we've done mittens, we've painted rocks, dream catchers, something that has a teaching behind it. (It's) not just hav(ing) people out there to have fun but at the same time we do have fun because laughter's a great part of our healing. We try to incorporate that as well," said Wilson.

Wilson said all women are welcome to Harmony Song regardless of whether or not they are Aboriginal.

"All of the programs are open and (we) have opened up the Aboriginal program as well ... what we're trying to do is show them we have our own ways of doing things," Wilson said. "They're more than welcome to come into our circles they're more than welcome to take part in our cultural activities, but they need to do it in a respectful way."

For more information about Tamara's House and Harmony Song, visit the Tamara House Web site at www.tamarashouse.sk.ca.