Learning from Survivors in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Although the world is experiencing numerous challenges due to COVID-19, April remains an important time for us at Peace Over Violence. It is the month where Denim Day takes place every year and it also serves as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. As one way of highlighting survivors and staff, we share some experiences and thoughts on solidarity for Denim Day. 

For almost fifty years, Peace Over Violence has been serving survivors of sexual, domestic, and interpersonal violence. If we treat this current world pandemic as a traumatic experience, there is much that we can learn from survivors of trauma. In no way do we want to minimize or trivialize the experience of trauma; for those that have never experienced trauma in their lives, this sense of panic and anxiety and confusion is not unfamiliar to the clients we serve. 

We put together some information about trauma and tips for dealing with this difficult time. 

Symptoms of trauma:

  • Shock, denial, or disbelief

  • Confusion, difficulty concentrating

  • Anger, irritability, mood swings

  • Anxiety and fear

  • Guilt, shame, self-blame

  • Withdrawing from others

  • Feeling sad or hopeless

  • Feeling disconnected or numb

 

What is required to address trauma in ourselves and others:

  • Acknowledgment

  • Understanding

  • Empathy

  • Answers

  • Patience

  • Love

  • Community

  • Compassion

  • Safety

 

COVID-19 trauma tips & resources:

  • Manage screen time and news briefs in a day to minimize potential triggers

  • Stick to one or two reliable sources of information

  • Talk about how you feel! It’s ok to notice your feelings and the sensations in your body that tell you you’re not ok and those that tell you that you are. Acknowledge them!

  • Don’t let anyone tell you that your feelings are not valid

  • Take breaks in the day to get some fresh air (keeping social distancing in mind); fresh air and vitamin D from the sun is free and beneficial

  • Play your favorite music or pick up your favorite book

  • Whenever possible, have a schedule that feels good to you 

  • Drink plenty of water and eat plenty of power foods (like berries) that are associated with positive moods 

  • If you have kids, learn how to be carefree with them; let them take the lead for a few hours and see what they come up with

  • Use grounding skills like naming the different colors in the room or activating all of your 5 senses to be fully present in the moment. Some questions you can ask yourself:

    • What is the temperature like?

    • What are the smells in the air?

    • What are the sounds that I’m hearing?

    • Notice the room and where everything is placed in the room

    • Touch the chair or couch where you are seated and notice if the surface is soft, rough, or other

    • Create a quiet corner where you can have private space

What are you doing to stay healthy during this time? 

 We know that home is not always safe for everyone, but we are here to help you be safe, stay safe and remain healthy in all aspects while we all “shelter in place.” There is a network across Los Angeles and across the country for resources and support. Trauma survivors are resilient and we can learn from that strength to help us all get through this together.

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