Rebuilding Identity After Gender-Based Violence

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a pervasive issue that affects individuals across the globe, leaving deep emotional and psychological scars. Survivors often face challenges in rebuilding their identities after experiencing such trauma. This blog post explores the journey of reclaiming one's identity post-GBV, offering insights, practical steps, and support resources.

Understanding the Impact of Gender-Based Violence

Gender-based violence (GBV) affects the whole person. Beyond physical injury, many survivors experience lasting emotional, psychological, and relational impacts such as:

• Depression and anxiety – persistent fear, sadness, or emotional numbness

• Shame and self-blame – especially in cultural contexts where women feel responsible for preserving family honour

• Loss of identity – feeling disconnected from one’s sense of self, faith, or cultural role

• Isolation – withdrawing to avoid judgement, misunderstanding, or further harm

These responses are normal and adaptive reactions to experiences that overwhelmed a person’s sense of safety. Understanding this is a first step in restoring dignity, agency, and hope.

Rebuilding Identity After GBV

Rebuilding identity after trauma is not simply “starting again”. It is a careful and deeply personal process of reconnecting with who you are, what you value, and how you wish to live going forward. This process is influenced by culture, faith, relationships, and life history.

Key elements of identity rebuilding include:

1. Acknowledging What Happened — Safely

Acknowledging trauma is not about reliving it.It is about recognising:

• “I survived something that should never have happened.”

• “Its effects on me are real and valid.”

Gentle methods such as journalling, prayer, grounding exercises, or speaking with a trusted professional can support this stage.

2. Seeking Professional and Community Support

Trauma-informed therapy provides:

• a safe, predictable space

• emotional stabilisation

• tools for managing fear, shame, and self-blame

• opportunities for meaning-making and identity rebuilding

Support groups, churches, and culturally familiar communities can offer belonging and connection, especially for migrant and refugee women who may lack a local support network.

3. Reconnecting With Yourself

Trauma disrupts identity. Healing involves rediscovering:

• what you enjoy

• what matters to you

• how you want to show up in your relationships

This may involve:

• gentle exploration of hobbies or interests

• faith practices, meditation, or time in nature

• physical activity to strengthen regulation and confidence

• setting small, achievable goals to rebuild a sense of agency

4. Reclaiming Relationships and Social Support

Healthy relationships can restore safety and dignity.For migrant or refugee women, this may also include:

• finding supportive voices outside the immediate cultural community

• navigating cross-cultural expectations

• building new networks that honour both heritage and present identity

Sharing your story with trusted people can help reduce shame and strengthen connection.

5. Integrating the Story — Not Being Defined by It

Healing does not mean forgetting.It means integrating your experience into a broader story of:

• strength

• survival

• transformation

• future direction

Creative expression, advocacy, faith, and community involvement can all support this process.

A Note on Cultural and Migration Context

For women who have migrated or fled conflict, the impact of GBV can be compounded by:

• loss of family and community

• racism or discrimination

• language barriers

• visa dependency and financial vulnerability

• cultural expectations around marriage, gender, and silence

Healing therefore requires culturally sensitive, trauma-informed support that acknowledges these layers.

Moving Forward

Healing from GBV is not linear. There will be difficult days and hopeful days. What matters is:

• you are not alone

• your reactions are valid

• healing is possible

• identity can be rebuilt in ways that feel safe, authentic, and rooted in your values and faith

You deserve safety, dignity, and a future shaped by your choices — not by what happened to you.