Collaboration with a Professor
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A COLLABORATION OF EMPOWERMENT
In 2011 I collaborated with professor Claudia Lifland of Barry University, Florida. She had the wisdom to realize my experience, insight and art could contribute greatly to the whole spectrum of childhood abuse and other traumas. That could enhance/extend the knowledge base of therapist and social work. Both Claudia and other colleagues utilised my art and insight into both a teaching programme and as part of a therapy course. Thanks to Claudia's comprehension, perception and belief in my work she had opened the 'castle drawbridge' The barrier of professional, dismissive attitudes that had for so long been impenetrable to me. No, I did not possess academic qualifications. I possessed the ultimate experiences, insight and the ability to overcome the atrocities of abuse in all its malignant forms. We worked together on a programme over the internet, via emails and skype. Here's a short professional bio of Claudia Claudia Lifland is a licensed psychotherapist and educator practising in South Florida, US. She has been in the field of social services since 1997, originally working with pre-school children and their families in Miami's poorest neighbourhoods. After completing her Master's in Social Work from Barry University, Claudia began to practice individual, family and group therapy with adolescents with substance abuse, delinquency and mental health issues. She also has experience working with adults with major mental illness and substance abuse in a variety of settings including a state-funded psychiatric hospital, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program and community-based outreach services. With a passion for guiding and inspiring future social workers, Claudia teaches as an adjunct professor at Barry University School of Social Work graduate program and as a field instructor for Florida Atlantic University. Currently, Claudia works as a social worker on a Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Crisis Stabilization Unit and an inpatient medical detox unit at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Florida. Professor Liflands Testimony "When I first saw Suzzan’s art, I had this feeling of falling into an abyss. Each piece flooded me with memory and experience and connected me to my clients in a way that I had never felt before. Her work was speaking directly to the endless stories of trauma and survival I have heard through my years as a therapist. I was teaching a Master’s Level Social Work class the upcoming semester at Barry University. I decided to contact Suzzan about the possibility of collaborating. My idea was to utilize her work and her story as a way of inciting in student’s the same feelings of empathy and visceral connection to pain, suffering and triumph that Suzzan’s work invoked in me. I was surprised and elated when Suzzan agreed. In the beginning of the semester I shared our unique proposal with the class: students would work in groups by choosing a painting and developing a scholarly paper on a related topic. They were also asked to create a interactive art therapy exercise that was inspired by their topic and/or painting. Which ranged from human trafficking & child abuse to resiliency. It was an unorthodox classroom experiment designed to help students develop their knowledge base about critical issues to our profession, but also to develop awareness of the struggles faced by Suzzan in order to be able to better understand and empathize with their future clients. As a teacher and a psychotherapist, it was a tremendously rewarding experience. Suzzan gave herself completely to the experience and continued to communicate with me throughout the course, answering students’ questions about her life and providing me with support in managing the curriculum. The success of our collaboration was evident in the students’ diligence and insight, which grew as the semester progressed. Months later, as I worked with some of the same students again, I continue to be impressed by the depth of the impact Suzzan’s work and commitment to helping others has made on these students". Pr.C.P.T 
The serene and beautiful building and gardens are a perfect balance for the intensity and nature of such a difficult and emotional subject matter.
Some of my prints, family photographs and letters between my mother and myself on display.
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What some of the trainees said "Reading your story reminded me of the children on my case load. All the children I work with have been sexual abused. They were abused by relatives, parents, and strangers. Some have been sexual abuse on various occasions by different predators. I feel the need to educate myself more on the topic of pedophiias as it directly affects the children I work with. I want to learn more about how to approach the topic with them to ensure they receive the proper treatment, and to help them make healthy relationships in their future. Most of my “kids” have low self esteem and are involved in prostitution. They have no self worth and try to mask their pain through drug use or aggressive behaviours. I believe that pedophilia is a bigger societal issue than people believe and it is important to educate our youth on this matter at a very young age. In addition, I feel it is important to give the youth a safe place to be able to talk about the abuse and be able to process it in a healthy matter. You story gives me hope that my children on my case-load can gain resilience and triumph through the dark times of their lives. I look forward to working with you through this semester and learning more about your life and views on the topic of pedophilia". "I live in Florida, USA now and I am currently taking classes to obtain my Masters Degree in Social Work with a Clinical concentration. Please allow me to share my story with you and to THANK YOU for sharing yours with me. First, I would like to start by saying thank you for giving the courage, through your story and paintings, to write about something that I have never done before: date rape." " Foremost, I would like to express my appreciation for your participation in this class project. Your story is full of hardships and adversity. Your mother’s complete lack of regard for your safety, as well as your physical and emotional well being, horrified me. Your mother, her paramours, your brother, your pimps and their agents of oppression treated you like and object, not worthy of basic human rights. No one, not even an animal, should be treated that way. Your ability to realize that you are worth more that the sum of your environment, is a testament to your spirit. I truly find inspiration from your ability to overcome extreme adversity. You are a resilient person and have managed to prove that life challenges, no matter how extreme, can be used as opportunities for personal growth. Your artwork is very powerful and provides a window into what you have endured and survived. I believe that the resistance that you have met while expressing yourself through your art, is a direct result of society’s refusal to admit that such abuses take place. My group and I took much care while developing questions to ask you. Honestly, there were too many to ask. Initially, I had viewed the questions as an opportunity to become a better social worker. However, I now realize that I can learn so much more from you. I now feel that the answers you will provide will allow me to grow as a person. I find comfort in the nature of my work and hope to continue to help people dealing with adversity. I can now also draw strength from your art and your story. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with me and my class" " Ms. Blac, I’ve to have gone through some personal hardship but nothing in comparison to what you have gone through, I feel God has brought you here for a reason. For you to have suffered, and went through, and still endured? No child should have experienced that horror. I feel like you were in the bottom of hell and you arose as an angel, you are here definitely for a reason. I know what it is like to feel like no one loves you or care about you or when all hope is lost. In closing, I know that I still face many challenges, but every time I will think of 'Suzzan Blac', I know that I can face all of my challenge. Professionally, your story has inspired me to keep doing what I desire do, and that there is nothing that I can’t do when I face doubt, even though there is always darkness, there is also light at the end of the tunnel. When I receive my Masters, my goal is to open a shelter for homeless and runaway teenager, so that I could be a gate way to a better life to some teenager". |
Feedback from trainee social workers
from recent seminars
z
jack cordery MSW Social Worker - Head of Children's Early Help, Psychology and Social Care Services at Cornwall Council
"Suzzan is an inspiration. She has more than survived sexual abuse as a child and as an adult to become a clear and compelling voice for all of us who work together to protect children. She is uncompromising in reminding us of our duty to face up to the horrific reality of child sexual abuse. She is helping us not to avert our eyes or avoid talking about it. She is a diligent researcher. She has important insights to share about the mind set and methods of paedophiles. Her art is a powerful and visceral portrayal of abuse, as is her writing. Through her presentations and seminars with social workers she is helping us to be more effective in protecting children in Cornwall. I cannot recommend her to you more highly than that".
" I feel privileged that I was given the opportunity to be a part of this pilot. This training was an excellent learning experience which I won’t forget."
" I was not expecting the impact that it had on me. The subject was very emotive and vividly described. I found that I would be reminded of it over the weekend and following week or so at particular moments or events. It provided a greater perspective of the issues faced within my case load. "
" This training had a huge emotional impact, hearing it directly from a survivor and how it impacted on their entire life gave reality to the affect abuse has on a person".
" The training had a huge impact on me emotionally as it felt very real having the experience first-hand from Suzzan. The pictures and letters made the learning even more real and enabled me to truly get a sense of her lived experience".
" The session was very emotive and at the time I was consumed by sadness and anger. Having reflected on the session I feel that I have been able to walk in a victims shoes to experience the journey of abuse and how this affected the person throughout her life both physically and emotionally".
" I have realised that sexual abuse will leave scars that may/will never heal. I need to ensure that Robust Risk Assessments are in place."
" I am able to recognise and reflect on my practice for instance, direct work with children and alerting my way of working. I am now more conscious that I should get to know the child and perhaps engage in a game or general conversation without putting a lot of focus on what I need to get out of the session.
In addition, I found it useful to hear at first hand why a person who has experienced sexual abuse may act or behave in certain ways and though I am aware that this is not the same for all individuals, it has enabled me to identify possible signs of abuse through behaviour."
" This training was unlike any other training I have ever attended. That I didn’t once look at the clock during the training as I was keen to learn more about Suzzan’s lived experience."
" I think it was fully achieved; this was a very “real” and “powerful” experience for me."
" Hearing directly from Suzzan about her lived experience
I found it opened up a window of the emotion behind events and abuse graphically and it was not so matter of fact or removed, as if reading in a journal or research."
" Felt very real. Very memorable. Made me consider how my work impacted on adult survivors of abuse in some instances.
Made me think about and hold the thought regarding sex abuse, which is sometimes avoided."
" That it’s memorable, that you really see in to some of her experiences, and that you need to prepare yourself for how unsparing the course is when it comes to graphic details of abuse. That it’s hard hitting but allows you to understand the lifetime implications of abuse."
" I have thought of it a lot, certainly give drawings/paintings a different meaning. In practice it gives me more determination to allow children I work with time, space and safety to express their feelings/emotions in different ways that they feel comfortable with. While this training taught me the extent that abused children are “scarred for life”, this training gave hope that children who have been abused can move forward providing they are given the opportunity to do so."
"It’s motivated me to broaden my knowledge on topics of this kind to go beyond surface level understanding."
" Yes I have thought about it since and I am looking to purchase Suzzan’s book as I am fascinated to find out more about her story."
" The training was a valuable opportunity to explore emotions, thoughts and feelings around sensitive issues that as a social worker I will come across and practice managing them in a safe and secure environment. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to attend the session."
" I feel that the seminar presented a lot of learning that took quite a few days to sink in with me. Whether that is because I am a reflective learner or because of the nature of the subject matter I am unsure. I certainly feel that hearing real life experiences aided in my appreciation of the potential emotional and psychological effects of abuse".
"I still think about the seminar as it will stay with me as it was a terrible real life story. I am very glad I had the opportunity to attend and think it is very helpful when working with vulnerable children."
" I found the day powerful running in an environment where experiences and professionals can ask questions or make links you would not normally be able to do when working with a child, young person or family member."
" I found the day to be a very powerful experience and think it will stay with me for a long time because it was so vivid and real."
" I found the training interesting and thought provoking. The combination of narrative and art gave an inside to how a child may feel at the time and how those feelings can impact on the person for years to come. It was a stark reminder of how important it is to see beyond the presenting behaviours, ask the difficult questions and maintain professional curiosity to ensure we are able to unpick any information/evidence. Be mindful of the power we hold and how easily our practise could be the cause of secondary victimisation."
" After the training I initially felt a bit numb. Since the training I have found that I have thought about Suzzan’s story a number of times and have accessed her website. Since then I have had two cases with extreme abuse and I have found that this has enabled me to consider the child’s experience."
" I will be more aware of what isn’t being said by the young people. Be more creative in exploring resources to aid service user’s development (drawing, art etc.). I have been more mindful of the impact past experiences may have on the young people’s future, behaviours and outlook on life in a more ‘real’ way. I feel more confident in discussing abuse/exploitation with the young people I work with and recognise/manage the discomfort that this makes me feel. I have become even more determined to support service users through their difficult times and their avoid risk taking/self-destructive behaviours as Suzzan is an inspirational example of how it is possible for people to turn their lives around."
" The training has impacted on my practice in a way that I have tended to focus on the victim which places the stigma on them, rather than (now) focusing on the perpetrator and laying the blame on them. "
" Since the training, I am constantly thinking of ways I can help children or listen to them, letting them know they can talk to me if they need to whenever that might be. I am also mindful of any forms of abuse parents have gone through and how this has impacted on them and also being mindful that mothers can be just as abusive to children as the men in their lives. As I am in child protection I believe it is important to understand the children experiences from their whole lives as much abuse may have happened before they come to Child Protection. It is important to think about their whole life so far and not just at the time of crisis or at Child Protection point. I believe it is also important to educate other professionals and adults around what it must be like for a survivor of abuse in order to eliminate the victim blaming and put more focus on the perpetrators."
" It has made me more conscious regarding how we term children. I have never liked the terms naughty children or a discussion about their poor behaviour where children are victimised or made out to be the bad one, and poor parents who have this child to deal with. Actually we should focus on the parents and parenting skills looking at why the behaviour has got to this point."
" The training reinforced my belief that spending time with someone to build trust and promote relationship building is a basic necessity. Having a normal conversation on the same level with someone about ordinary things can be so important. If as professionals we want to build a trusting relationship, potentially asking families or children to share and discuss very difficult experiences, especially within Child Protection."
" It has given me more confidence to ask the difficult questions that need to be asked."
" It serves as a reminder that it is essential to take time to listen carefully to what is being said and how important it is to listen for what is not being said. Additionally it may be a small detail that may seem insignificant at the time that could be the key to seeing the bigger picture."
" It has helped me to think about the ‘narrative’ that can be perpetuated about young people with challenging behaviours. It has also made me think about how my practice has the potential to be abusive towards vulnerable adults."
" How powerful it is to hear first-hand experiences. How helpful it was to experience this with people I felt comfortable with. I have referred to Suzzan’s ‘story’ in practice to promote inspiration and motivation."
" I have talked about victim blaming and how the focus is often on the victim and not the perpetrator e.g. media. How people can shy away from other people who have been abused as a child and automatically think they will abuse their own children as well.
"The realisation that paedophiles and people who sexually abuse and exploit children and young people get together and talk about it e.g. over the internet and find some way of thinking it is right. People holding children and young people hostage after luring them to a place for abuse to take place – how do they find each other and believe it is o.k."
" All though the training was a very emotive topic it was also very powerful. Suzzan speaking about her experiences and using her art and personal photographs and letters allowed that depth of understanding of Suzzan and the journey travelled. It allowed for professionals to ask what would have made a difference or could anything have made a difference? And to use this training as a learning opportunity to change the way that victims/survivors are often treated by professionals."
" I have told people that it was fantastic training and really valuable because it was delivered by a person who had direct experience and was all the more powerful because of that."
" It was thought provoking, intense and something I’ll always remember"
" Being in a small group with people I knew allowed me to explore and express my feelings around the experiences shared in a confident way – this was well planned and very effective. "
" This training really upset me, I was relating it to my previous job where I looked after sexually abused children in residential care and it made me reflect on their trauma and how they must have been feeling which made me upset. Her story put me back in my head to the residential home I worked in, to listening to the children I worked with and the different ways they demonstrated their trauma and fear".
" More training should follow this model. Having someone relay their personal experience rather than having a ‘professional’ present research, findings etc. makes it more ‘real’ and I find this a more effective way to consolidate what I have learnt with research and incorporate it into my practice."
" Being in a safe environment to discuss sensitive experiences amongst colleagues/peers and feeling able to express the emotions these provoked. Suzzan’s openness and honesty allowed me to ask questions without feeling anxious about offending or causing distress. Suzzan’s openness and honesty has helped my confidence develop with regards to discussing difficult issues."
" It engages with feelings which I think leads to more powerful learning. It was delivered in an unrelenting way which, whilst very difficult to handle, was really useful because we had to hear it and absorb what was being said."
"Social workers need to be able to react appropriately when confronted with information that they may find difficult. It is an opportunity to listen to what we could do to support a child now to try and minimise longer term negative outcomes."
" The value in being able to explore feeling and emotions in a safe and secure environment. How effective it is to hear first-hand experiences and the learning and reflection this motivates."
" It is far better coming first hand rather than from a trainer and a PowerPoint."
" There should be more like this as it makes you see the person and not just the theory/research. Being able to relate the information to a person from the outset encourages us to place the child at the centre of the work and look for tools/strategies that will work for that individual child rather than trying to get the child to fit with a tool/strategy that we like/feel confident using."
" The training had a significant impact on me personally and professionally. I have reflected on some of the points that Suzzan shared in relation to some of the young people I work with and the impact their experiences may have on them. Suzzan is an inspiration to those who have experienced abuse and is an example of how people can move on from difficult experiences – more so with the support that I hope to provide as a social worker. Suzzan sharing how her past experiences have impacted on her as an adult, partner and mother had a huge impact on me and has encouraged me to consider how the young people I work with may be affected by their experiences later in life."
" I think about it daily. I am still reconciling the learning. Still assessing how best to incorporate it into daily practice and how to be aware that trust (which we work so hard to achieve) can be utterly destroyed and potentially unachievable."
" Yes, I thought a lot about it on Friday evening and also visited Suzanne’s website to look at more of her paintings. I have also thought about it since and feel bolstered by the message it was giving of encouraging us to ask more questions and to really listen to children. It resonated with me and my values in relation to making sure we are alert to what is being said but also what isn’t being said."
jack cordery MSW Social Worker - Head of Children's Early Help, Psychology and Social Care Services at Cornwall Council
"Suzzan is an inspiration. She has more than survived sexual abuse as a child and as an adult to become a clear and compelling voice for all of us who work together to protect children. She is uncompromising in reminding us of our duty to face up to the horrific reality of child sexual abuse. She is helping us not to avert our eyes or avoid talking about it. She is a diligent researcher. She has important insights to share about the mind set and methods of paedophiles. Her art is a powerful and visceral portrayal of abuse, as is her writing. Through her presentations and seminars with social workers she is helping us to be more effective in protecting children in Cornwall. I cannot recommend her to you more highly than that".
" I feel privileged that I was given the opportunity to be a part of this pilot. This training was an excellent learning experience which I won’t forget."
" I was not expecting the impact that it had on me. The subject was very emotive and vividly described. I found that I would be reminded of it over the weekend and following week or so at particular moments or events. It provided a greater perspective of the issues faced within my case load. "
" This training had a huge emotional impact, hearing it directly from a survivor and how it impacted on their entire life gave reality to the affect abuse has on a person".
" The training had a huge impact on me emotionally as it felt very real having the experience first-hand from Suzzan. The pictures and letters made the learning even more real and enabled me to truly get a sense of her lived experience".
" The session was very emotive and at the time I was consumed by sadness and anger. Having reflected on the session I feel that I have been able to walk in a victims shoes to experience the journey of abuse and how this affected the person throughout her life both physically and emotionally".
" I have realised that sexual abuse will leave scars that may/will never heal. I need to ensure that Robust Risk Assessments are in place."
" I am able to recognise and reflect on my practice for instance, direct work with children and alerting my way of working. I am now more conscious that I should get to know the child and perhaps engage in a game or general conversation without putting a lot of focus on what I need to get out of the session.
In addition, I found it useful to hear at first hand why a person who has experienced sexual abuse may act or behave in certain ways and though I am aware that this is not the same for all individuals, it has enabled me to identify possible signs of abuse through behaviour."
" This training was unlike any other training I have ever attended. That I didn’t once look at the clock during the training as I was keen to learn more about Suzzan’s lived experience."
" I think it was fully achieved; this was a very “real” and “powerful” experience for me."
" Hearing directly from Suzzan about her lived experience
I found it opened up a window of the emotion behind events and abuse graphically and it was not so matter of fact or removed, as if reading in a journal or research."
" Felt very real. Very memorable. Made me consider how my work impacted on adult survivors of abuse in some instances.
Made me think about and hold the thought regarding sex abuse, which is sometimes avoided."
" That it’s memorable, that you really see in to some of her experiences, and that you need to prepare yourself for how unsparing the course is when it comes to graphic details of abuse. That it’s hard hitting but allows you to understand the lifetime implications of abuse."
" I have thought of it a lot, certainly give drawings/paintings a different meaning. In practice it gives me more determination to allow children I work with time, space and safety to express their feelings/emotions in different ways that they feel comfortable with. While this training taught me the extent that abused children are “scarred for life”, this training gave hope that children who have been abused can move forward providing they are given the opportunity to do so."
"It’s motivated me to broaden my knowledge on topics of this kind to go beyond surface level understanding."
" Yes I have thought about it since and I am looking to purchase Suzzan’s book as I am fascinated to find out more about her story."
" The training was a valuable opportunity to explore emotions, thoughts and feelings around sensitive issues that as a social worker I will come across and practice managing them in a safe and secure environment. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to attend the session."
" I feel that the seminar presented a lot of learning that took quite a few days to sink in with me. Whether that is because I am a reflective learner or because of the nature of the subject matter I am unsure. I certainly feel that hearing real life experiences aided in my appreciation of the potential emotional and psychological effects of abuse".
"I still think about the seminar as it will stay with me as it was a terrible real life story. I am very glad I had the opportunity to attend and think it is very helpful when working with vulnerable children."
" I found the day powerful running in an environment where experiences and professionals can ask questions or make links you would not normally be able to do when working with a child, young person or family member."
" I found the day to be a very powerful experience and think it will stay with me for a long time because it was so vivid and real."
" I found the training interesting and thought provoking. The combination of narrative and art gave an inside to how a child may feel at the time and how those feelings can impact on the person for years to come. It was a stark reminder of how important it is to see beyond the presenting behaviours, ask the difficult questions and maintain professional curiosity to ensure we are able to unpick any information/evidence. Be mindful of the power we hold and how easily our practise could be the cause of secondary victimisation."
" After the training I initially felt a bit numb. Since the training I have found that I have thought about Suzzan’s story a number of times and have accessed her website. Since then I have had two cases with extreme abuse and I have found that this has enabled me to consider the child’s experience."
" I will be more aware of what isn’t being said by the young people. Be more creative in exploring resources to aid service user’s development (drawing, art etc.). I have been more mindful of the impact past experiences may have on the young people’s future, behaviours and outlook on life in a more ‘real’ way. I feel more confident in discussing abuse/exploitation with the young people I work with and recognise/manage the discomfort that this makes me feel. I have become even more determined to support service users through their difficult times and their avoid risk taking/self-destructive behaviours as Suzzan is an inspirational example of how it is possible for people to turn their lives around."
" The training has impacted on my practice in a way that I have tended to focus on the victim which places the stigma on them, rather than (now) focusing on the perpetrator and laying the blame on them. "
" Since the training, I am constantly thinking of ways I can help children or listen to them, letting them know they can talk to me if they need to whenever that might be. I am also mindful of any forms of abuse parents have gone through and how this has impacted on them and also being mindful that mothers can be just as abusive to children as the men in their lives. As I am in child protection I believe it is important to understand the children experiences from their whole lives as much abuse may have happened before they come to Child Protection. It is important to think about their whole life so far and not just at the time of crisis or at Child Protection point. I believe it is also important to educate other professionals and adults around what it must be like for a survivor of abuse in order to eliminate the victim blaming and put more focus on the perpetrators."
" It has made me more conscious regarding how we term children. I have never liked the terms naughty children or a discussion about their poor behaviour where children are victimised or made out to be the bad one, and poor parents who have this child to deal with. Actually we should focus on the parents and parenting skills looking at why the behaviour has got to this point."
" The training reinforced my belief that spending time with someone to build trust and promote relationship building is a basic necessity. Having a normal conversation on the same level with someone about ordinary things can be so important. If as professionals we want to build a trusting relationship, potentially asking families or children to share and discuss very difficult experiences, especially within Child Protection."
" It has given me more confidence to ask the difficult questions that need to be asked."
" It serves as a reminder that it is essential to take time to listen carefully to what is being said and how important it is to listen for what is not being said. Additionally it may be a small detail that may seem insignificant at the time that could be the key to seeing the bigger picture."
" It has helped me to think about the ‘narrative’ that can be perpetuated about young people with challenging behaviours. It has also made me think about how my practice has the potential to be abusive towards vulnerable adults."
" How powerful it is to hear first-hand experiences. How helpful it was to experience this with people I felt comfortable with. I have referred to Suzzan’s ‘story’ in practice to promote inspiration and motivation."
" I have talked about victim blaming and how the focus is often on the victim and not the perpetrator e.g. media. How people can shy away from other people who have been abused as a child and automatically think they will abuse their own children as well.
"The realisation that paedophiles and people who sexually abuse and exploit children and young people get together and talk about it e.g. over the internet and find some way of thinking it is right. People holding children and young people hostage after luring them to a place for abuse to take place – how do they find each other and believe it is o.k."
" All though the training was a very emotive topic it was also very powerful. Suzzan speaking about her experiences and using her art and personal photographs and letters allowed that depth of understanding of Suzzan and the journey travelled. It allowed for professionals to ask what would have made a difference or could anything have made a difference? And to use this training as a learning opportunity to change the way that victims/survivors are often treated by professionals."
" I have told people that it was fantastic training and really valuable because it was delivered by a person who had direct experience and was all the more powerful because of that."
" It was thought provoking, intense and something I’ll always remember"
" Being in a small group with people I knew allowed me to explore and express my feelings around the experiences shared in a confident way – this was well planned and very effective. "
" This training really upset me, I was relating it to my previous job where I looked after sexually abused children in residential care and it made me reflect on their trauma and how they must have been feeling which made me upset. Her story put me back in my head to the residential home I worked in, to listening to the children I worked with and the different ways they demonstrated their trauma and fear".
" More training should follow this model. Having someone relay their personal experience rather than having a ‘professional’ present research, findings etc. makes it more ‘real’ and I find this a more effective way to consolidate what I have learnt with research and incorporate it into my practice."
" Being in a safe environment to discuss sensitive experiences amongst colleagues/peers and feeling able to express the emotions these provoked. Suzzan’s openness and honesty allowed me to ask questions without feeling anxious about offending or causing distress. Suzzan’s openness and honesty has helped my confidence develop with regards to discussing difficult issues."
" It engages with feelings which I think leads to more powerful learning. It was delivered in an unrelenting way which, whilst very difficult to handle, was really useful because we had to hear it and absorb what was being said."
"Social workers need to be able to react appropriately when confronted with information that they may find difficult. It is an opportunity to listen to what we could do to support a child now to try and minimise longer term negative outcomes."
" The value in being able to explore feeling and emotions in a safe and secure environment. How effective it is to hear first-hand experiences and the learning and reflection this motivates."
" It is far better coming first hand rather than from a trainer and a PowerPoint."
" There should be more like this as it makes you see the person and not just the theory/research. Being able to relate the information to a person from the outset encourages us to place the child at the centre of the work and look for tools/strategies that will work for that individual child rather than trying to get the child to fit with a tool/strategy that we like/feel confident using."
" The training had a significant impact on me personally and professionally. I have reflected on some of the points that Suzzan shared in relation to some of the young people I work with and the impact their experiences may have on them. Suzzan is an inspiration to those who have experienced abuse and is an example of how people can move on from difficult experiences – more so with the support that I hope to provide as a social worker. Suzzan sharing how her past experiences have impacted on her as an adult, partner and mother had a huge impact on me and has encouraged me to consider how the young people I work with may be affected by their experiences later in life."
" I think about it daily. I am still reconciling the learning. Still assessing how best to incorporate it into daily practice and how to be aware that trust (which we work so hard to achieve) can be utterly destroyed and potentially unachievable."
" Yes, I thought a lot about it on Friday evening and also visited Suzanne’s website to look at more of her paintings. I have also thought about it since and feel bolstered by the message it was giving of encouraging us to ask more questions and to really listen to children. It resonated with me and my values in relation to making sure we are alert to what is being said but also what isn’t being said."
