Turning, points from victim to survivor: an examination of sexual violence narratives

Sexual violence is a pervasive issue in contemporary culture, however, the tangible experiences of those affected is often ignored or misrepresented. Research shows that labeling oneself as a survivor creates a sense of empowerment, and yet, there is limited research about how an individual navigates the transition from self-perceived victimhood to survivorship. To address this gap, I examine the turning points-or patterns of change-following sexual violence to better understand this transition. I use qualitative content analysis alongside feminist standpoint theory to analyze the survivor stories on RAINN's website. I specifically look at how individuals articulate their experiences following sexual violence. The results indicate three turning points in this transition, including social support, reclaiming one's story, and understanding that healing does not have a set timeline. These results also demonstrate that the self-perception of survivorship is not instantaneous, and further, that survivorship comes in many forms.