{"id":{"repo_id":"vt","oai_identifier":"oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/141134"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/vt/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/141134","repository":{"repo_id":"vt","name":"Virginia Tech","base_url":"https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"There are many paths of healing: Narratives and themes from Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color sexual violence and assault survivors","abstract":"Sexual violence impacts someone every 68 seconds in the United States (RAINN, n.d.). Statistics highlight the frequency yet still underestimate the true scope and impact of the issue. Women are disproportionately impacted by sexual violence, thus situating sexual violence as social issue where the intersection of social identities and forces of oppression create and shape vulnerability to trauma (Bubar and Weaver, 2024). Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color are largely underrepresented in existing sexual violence research (Harris et al., 2021; Karunaratne, 2024; Karunaratne and Harris, 2022; Low and Organista, 2000; Tate, 2019; Tsong and Ulman, 2018). Social and contextual factors can influence how survivors respond to, make sense of, and ascribe meaning to their experience(s) sexual trauma (Bucholz et al., 2020; Campbell et al., 2009; Goodman, 2015; Walensky et al., 2022). Critical narrative inquiry was used to center the narratives of Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color; attend to sociocultural influences on personal healing; and expand conceptualization of personal healing beyond trauma symptom reduction (RAINN, n.d.; Walensky et al., 2022). Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) was used to glean two themes: (1) Healing as a Journey and Process, and (2) Survivor-to-Survivor: Advice and Insights. This study yielded rich insights into the process of personally healing from experience(s) of sexual trauma, and broad implications for healthcare professionals at all professional stages of training and development.","abstract_html":"Sexual violence impacts someone every 68 seconds in the United States (RAINN, n.d.). Statistics highlight the frequency yet still underestimate the true scope and impact of the issue. Women are disproportionately impacted by sexual violence, thus situating sexual violence as social issue where the intersection of social identities and forces of oppression create and shape vulnerability to trauma (Bubar and Weaver, 2024). Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color are largely underrepresented in existing sexual violence research (Harris et al., 2021; Karunaratne, 2024; Karunaratne and Harris, 2022; Low and Organista, 2000; Tate, 2019; Tsong and Ulman, 2018). Social and contextual factors can influence how survivors respond to, make sense of, and ascribe meaning to their experience(s) sexual trauma (Bucholz et al., 2020; Campbell et al., 2009; Goodman, 2015; Walensky et al., 2022). Critical narrative inquiry was used to center the narratives of Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color; attend to sociocultural influences on personal healing; and expand conceptualization of personal healing beyond trauma symptom reduction (RAINN, n.d.; Walensky et al., 2022). Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) was used to glean two themes: (1) Healing as a Journey and Process, and (2) Survivor-to-Survivor: Advice and Insights. This study yielded rich insights into the process of personally healing from experience(s) of sexual trauma, and broad implications for healthcare professionals at all professional stages of training and development.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Melendez, Eva"],"institution":"Virginia Tech","degree_name":"Doctor of Philosophy","degree_level":"doctoral","degree_discipline":"Counselor Education","degree_department":"Education, Community College","school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":["Welfare, Laura Everhart","Grimes, Tameka O."],"committee_members":["Austin, Jude","Collins, Joanna","Ovink, Sarah","Locklear, Harley Devon"],"year":2026,"date_issued":"2026-02-03","date_published":"2026-02-03","updated_at":"2026-07-22T22:19:48Z","subjects":["Black","Indigenous","Women of Color","Healing","Sexual violence","Sexual Assault"],"languages":["en"],"rights":["In Copyright"],"rights_urls":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"identifier_entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.other","label":"Dc Identifier Other","values":["vt_gsexam:45639"],"render_values":[{"text":"vt_gsexam:45639","href":null,"code":true}]}]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://hdl.handle.net/10919/141134","outbound_label":"Handle","outbound_source":"dc:identifier.uri"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor.committeechair","label":"Committee Chair","values":["Welfare, Laura Everhart","Grimes, Tameka O."]},{"key":"dc:contributor.committeemember","label":"Committee Member","values":["Austin, Jude","Collins, Joanna","Ovink, Sarah","Locklear, Harley Devon"]},{"key":"dc:contributor.department","label":"Department","values":["Education, Community College"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Melendez, Eva"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.accessioned","label":"Dc Date Accessioned","values":["2026-02-04T09:00:49Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2026-02-04T09:00:49Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2026-02-03"]},{"key":"dc:publisher","label":"Institution","values":["Virginia Tech"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Dissertation"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Counselor Education"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["doctoral"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Doctor of Philosophy"]},{"key":"thesis:institution_name","label":"Thesis Institution Name","values":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Black","Indigenous","Women of Color","Healing","Sexual violence","Sexual Assault"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:language.iso","label":"Language (ISO)","values":["en"]},{"key":"dc:rights","label":"Dc Rights","values":["In Copyright"]},{"key":"dc:rights.uri","label":"Rights URI","values":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.other","label":"Dc Identifier Other","values":["vt_gsexam:45639"]},{"key":"dc:identifier.uri","label":"Identifier URI","values":["https://hdl.handle.net/10919/141134"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["Sexual violence impacts someone every 68 seconds in the United States (RAINN, n.d.). Statistics highlight the frequency yet still underestimate the true scope and impact of the issue. Women are disproportionately impacted by sexual violence, thus situating sexual violence as social issue where the intersection of social identities and forces of oppression create and shape vulnerability to trauma (Bubar and Weaver, 2024). Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color are largely underrepresented in existing sexual violence research (Harris et al., 2021; Karunaratne, 2024; Karunaratne and Harris, 2022; Low and Organista, 2000; Tate, 2019; Tsong and Ulman, 2018). Social and contextual factors can influence how survivors respond to, make sense of, and ascribe meaning to their experience(s) sexual trauma (Bucholz et al., 2020; Campbell et al., 2009; Goodman, 2015; Walensky et al., 2022). Critical narrative inquiry was used to center the narratives of Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color; attend to sociocultural influences on personal healing; and expand conceptualization of personal healing beyond trauma symptom reduction (RAINN, n.d.; Walensky et al., 2022). Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) was used to glean two themes: (1) Healing as a Journey and Process, and (2) Survivor-to-Survivor: Advice and Insights. This study yielded rich insights into the process of personally healing from experience(s) of sexual trauma, and broad implications for healthcare professionals at all professional stages of training and development."]},{"key":"dc:description.abstractgeneral","label":"General Abstract","values":["Sexual violence occurs every 68 seconds in the United States, and disproportionately affects women (Bubar and Weaver, 2024; RAINN, n.d.). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) estimated 1 in 4 women will survive attempted or completed rape; 1 in 4 women will experience sexual coercion; and 1 in 2 women will experience unwanted sexual contact in her lifetime (Walensky et al., 2022). Yet, historically marginalized and racialized women are largely underrepresented in existing sexual violence research (Harris et al., 2021; Karunaratne, 2024; Karunaratne and Harris, 2022; Low and Organista, 2000; Tate, 2019; Tsong and Ulman, 2018). Social and contextual factors can influence how survivors respond to, make sense of, and ascribe meaning to their experience(s) sexual trauma (Bucholz et al., 2020; Campbell et al., 2009; Goodman, 2015; Walensky et al., 2022). A critical narrative inquiry research approach was used to center the narratives of participants of underrepresented background; attend to sociocultural influences on personal healing; explore holistic conceptions of trauma healing, beyond symptom reduction (RAINN, n.d.; Walensky et al., 2022). Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) was used to glean two themes: (1) Healing as a Journey and Process, and (2) Survivor-to-Survivor: Advice and Insights. This study yielded rich insights into the personal healing process from experience(s) of sexual trauma, as well broad implications for healthcare professionals at all professional stages of training and development."]},{"key":"dc:description.degree","label":"Dc Description Degree","values":["Doctor of Philosophy"]},{"key":"dc:format.medium","label":"Dc Format Medium","values":["ETD"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["There are many paths of healing: Narratives and themes from Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color sexual violence and assault survivors"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor.committeechair":["Welfare, Laura Everhart","Grimes, Tameka O."],"dc:contributor.committeemember":["Austin, Jude","Collins, Joanna","Ovink, Sarah","Locklear, Harley Devon"],"dc:contributor.department":["Education, Community College"],"dc:creator":["Melendez, Eva"],"dc:date.accessioned":["2026-02-04T09:00:49Z"],"dc:date.available":["2026-02-04T09:00:49Z"],"dc:date.issued":["2026-02-03"],"dc:description.abstract":["Sexual violence impacts someone every 68 seconds in the United States (RAINN, n.d.). Statistics highlight the frequency yet still underestimate the true scope and impact of the issue. Women are disproportionately impacted by sexual violence, thus situating sexual violence as social issue where the intersection of social identities and forces of oppression create and shape vulnerability to trauma (Bubar and Weaver, 2024). Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color are largely underrepresented in existing sexual violence research (Harris et al., 2021; Karunaratne, 2024; Karunaratne and Harris, 2022; Low and Organista, 2000; Tate, 2019; Tsong and Ulman, 2018). Social and contextual factors can influence how survivors respond to, make sense of, and ascribe meaning to their experience(s) sexual trauma (Bucholz et al., 2020; Campbell et al., 2009; Goodman, 2015; Walensky et al., 2022). Critical narrative inquiry was used to center the narratives of Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color; attend to sociocultural influences on personal healing; and expand conceptualization of personal healing beyond trauma symptom reduction (RAINN, n.d.; Walensky et al., 2022). Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) was used to glean two themes: (1) Healing as a Journey and Process, and (2) Survivor-to-Survivor: Advice and Insights. This study yielded rich insights into the process of personally healing from experience(s) of sexual trauma, and broad implications for healthcare professionals at all professional stages of training and development."],"dc:description.abstractgeneral":["Sexual violence occurs every 68 seconds in the United States, and disproportionately affects women (Bubar and Weaver, 2024; RAINN, n.d.). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) estimated 1 in 4 women will survive attempted or completed rape; 1 in 4 women will experience sexual coercion; and 1 in 2 women will experience unwanted sexual contact in her lifetime (Walensky et al., 2022). Yet, historically marginalized and racialized women are largely underrepresented in existing sexual violence research (Harris et al., 2021; Karunaratne, 2024; Karunaratne and Harris, 2022; Low and Organista, 2000; Tate, 2019; Tsong and Ulman, 2018). Social and contextual factors can influence how survivors respond to, make sense of, and ascribe meaning to their experience(s) sexual trauma (Bucholz et al., 2020; Campbell et al., 2009; Goodman, 2015; Walensky et al., 2022). A critical narrative inquiry research approach was used to center the narratives of participants of underrepresented background; attend to sociocultural influences on personal healing; explore holistic conceptions of trauma healing, beyond symptom reduction (RAINN, n.d.; Walensky et al., 2022). Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) was used to glean two themes: (1) Healing as a Journey and Process, and (2) Survivor-to-Survivor: Advice and Insights. This study yielded rich insights into the personal healing process from experience(s) of sexual trauma, as well broad implications for healthcare professionals at all professional stages of training and development."],"dc:description.degree":["Doctor of Philosophy"],"dc:format.medium":["ETD"],"dc:identifier.other":["vt_gsexam:45639"],"dc:identifier.uri":["https://hdl.handle.net/10919/141134"],"dc:language.iso":["en"],"dc:publisher":["Virginia Tech"],"dc:rights":["In Copyright"],"dc:rights.uri":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"dc:subject":["Black","Indigenous","Women of Color","Healing","Sexual violence","Sexual Assault"],"dc:title":["There are many paths of healing: Narratives and themes from Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color sexual violence and assault survivors"],"dc:type":["Dissertation"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Counselor Education"],"thesis:degree_level":["doctoral"],"thesis:degree_name":["Doctor of Philosophy"],"thesis:institution_name":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-22T22:19:48Z"}