'Better safe than sorry': examining trauma as an obstacle to empowerment and social change in a U.S. intimate partner violence intervention. Issue 2 (4th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kogen, Lauren
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied communication research. Volume 50:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 189
• Page End: 207
• Publication Date: 2022-03-04
• Subjects: Communication for social change -- empowerment -- intimate partner violence -- storytelling -- trauma; Electronic journals; Communication -- Periodicals; 302.2072
• DOI: 10.1080/00909882.2021.1978521
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0090-9882

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Communication for social change (CSC) research often addresses 'empowerment.' This paper argues that CSC must better incorporate trauma healing into the concept of empowerment, and thus into a revised model of social change. Data from a U.S. intimate partner violence intervention are used to provide evidence for the validity of, and usefulness of, such a revised model. Three broad theoretical arguments are offered regarding trauma within CSC: (1) trauma is rarely addressed outside peacebuilding interventions, but is relevant to other marginalized populations; (2) storytelling work has mostly focused on its politically empowering effects, and insufficiently on its healing effects related to trauma as a precursor to political empowerment; and (3) storytelling work almost always assumes an audience, but there is also value in internal communication – e.g. telling a story to oneself or journaling – when trauma has limited one's opportunities for communication.