“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” - Audre Lorde
Within the Black feminist and civil rights movement self-care was a means of reclaiming bodily autonomy from a racist and sexist medical establishment and institutions, where most professionals were white, male and middle class, and the health needs of black people and particularly black women were not met. Arguably this is still the case today.
Self care is a form of radical and political self-love. It is about recognising that that you experience discrimination and oppression because of your identity, so you to chose to take care of yourself in order to survive, to resist, and live your best life despite living in a unequal world.
Self-help Resource Guide
Every woman’s experience and reaction to sexual violence is individual to her. Our self-help resource guide will help you explore your feelings and identify self care practices that work for you. There are practical exercises, tips and lots of information to help you gain a better understanding of what has happened to you and how to take back some control.
The guide was written for people who have experienced sexual violence, but it contains tips and ideas that could help anyone who has experienced any form of gendered violence.