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The Silver
Braid is a symbol of hope and redemption, and represents three
strands.
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The
strands of the Silver Braid are: |
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1) |
The
first strand is survivors - bringing together all
the forms of survivors. Often survivors of various forms
of exploitation feel isolated. Whether they are victims
of domestic violence, rape, or childhood sexual exploitation,
we believe thee survivors share similar aftereffects.
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2)
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The
second strand is the communities that need to help them |
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3)
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The
third strand is Spiritual Principles |
In our program,
we have developed a symbol to describe the set of tools and techniques
that we find useful on our recovery path. We use the symbol we
call: "The Silver Braid." The Silver Braid is a symbol
of both integration and interconnectedness. Your recovery and
participation in this program is vital for the creation of "The
Silver Braid."
Today, with
the help of other recovering survivors, and our suggested techniques
for recovery, you are empowered to re-vision and rebuild your
life. Strand by strand, as one survivor connects with another,
together we create "The Silver Braid." Finally, the
cycle of victimization ceases, and we create a new community where
there is absolutely zero tolerance for sexual abuse. We become
a part of the solution for a healthier life for both ourselves
and others.
To get a sense
of what the image of the braid implies on a personal level, imagine
a silver braid that connects your inner experience to your outer
experience. The strength of your "Silver Braid," is
equivalent to the strength of your "core personal integrity."
We believe
these are important concepts for survivors to grasp since during
the abuse process our core of personal integrity was damaged.
To survive the sexual abuse, we split off, disassociate from our
inner, authentic experience. We call this "The Split."
How then,
can we begin to strengthen "The Silver Braid?" How can
we attain or experience a strengthened core personal integrity?
We can begin by sensing, knowing and beginning to trust in the
validity of our own feelings. We can continue on our path by rebuilding
an awareness of how our thoughts, words and beliefs (internal)
are connected to what shows up out there (external).
When we can
begin to recognize how our inner wounds (the aftereffects) have
played into our patterns of victimization, we can then learn more
effective ways of responding to others and our own internal dialogues,
or "self-talk."
We are creating
a new collective consciousness. We are breaking through society's
denial. Together, by sharing our painful secrets, we each contribute
to this "braid," and each "strand" creates
a new collective experience, where sexual exploitation is de-glamorized,
de-mystified, and ultimately stops.
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