ELAC

1. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Our Bodies, Our Minds
East Los Angeles College
Thursday, April 25, 2019
@artwithimpact
#OurBodiesOurMinds

2. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Brought to you by…
- Campus workshops
- Monthly film
competition
- Global community

3. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Here’s the Plan
• Introductory conversation
• Monologues and activities
• Panel of speakers

4. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Where were you right before coming
to this workshop?

5. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Heads Up
• Mental health is personal – YOU are the expert on
your own experience
• Public space – no confidentiality
• It’s okay to feel, and it’s okay to be uncomfortable
• Conversations and activities might be triggering
• Please take care of yourself however you need,
including asking for help

6. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Sexual Violence Survivor
• Personal definition

7. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Sexual Violence Survivor
• Personal definition
• Identifies as having been through a potentially
traumatic sexual/intimate experience (or set of
experiences)

8. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Sexual Violence Survivor
• Personal definition
• Identifies as having been through a potentially
traumatic sexual/intimate experience (or set of
experiences)
• Against their wishes, crossed a boundary that they had
set, and/or left them feeling violated, used, scared,
unsafe or hurt

9. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Sexual Violence Survivor
• Personal definition
• Identifies as having been through a potentially
traumatic sexual/intimate experience (or set of
experiences)
• Against their wishes, crossed a boundary that they had
set, and/or left them feeling violated, used, scared,
unsafe or hurt
• Mental health and mental wellness - impacts of
traumatic event and ability to be full self

10. #OurBodiesOurMinds
What are ways that sexual violence might
impact survivors?
• Trust issues
• Anxiety
• Your physical emotional self
• PTSD / flashbacks / being triggered
• Depression
• Low self-esteem
• Substance abuse
• Drug abuse
• Dying by suicide
• Unstable relationships
• Not being able to talk about it for a long time

11. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Monologue
Alice, 23, woman (she/her)

12. #OurBodiesOurMinds
In small groups…
• Read the monologue out loud
• Discuss initial reactions

13. #OurBodiesOurMinds
How does Alice seem to feel?
• Dissociating
• Confused
• Still in shock
• Overwhelmed
• Hopeless
• Guilty
• Alone
• Sad

14. #OurBodiesOurMinds
What thoughts might Alice have?
• She let it happen
• No one is going to love her
• She doesn’t really ask why HE did this, more about what SHE did
• Her life, her circle will be affected if she speaks up
• Unworthy, and she wouldn’t blame her boyfriend if he chose to leave her

15. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Activity

16. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Monologues
Andre, 25, man (he/him)
Sara, 27, woman (she/her)

17. #OurBodiesOurMinds
In small groups…
• Read the monologue out loud
• Discuss initial reactions

18. #OurBodiesOurMinds
How do Andre and Sara seem to feel?
• Angry
• Guilty
• Helpless
• Doesn’t know how to react or help
her
• Stuck
• Overwhelmed
• Helpless
• Frustrated
• Like she failed
• Stuck
• Walking on eggshells
• Worthless
• Overwhelmed
• Doesn’t know how to navigate
toward the situation
• Like there isn’t a light at the end of
the tunnel
Andre Sara

19. #OurBodiesOurMinds
SaraAndre
Feeling: Heavy, uncertain Feeling: Frustrated

20. #OurBodiesOurMinds
What messages is Alice receiving
from Andre and Sara?
• You’re a burden to me
• Get over it
• I’m not here for you
• I’m overwhelmed so I don’t have
space for you
• I can’t be here for you
Andre Sara

21. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Alice
SaraAndre
Feeling: Heavy, uncertain Feeling: Frustrated
Feeling: Ugly, unwanted
Message:
You’re a burden
to me
Message:
I can’t be there
for you
---------------------
You can talk to
me, sis. I’m here
for you.

22. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Scene Exploration

23. #OurBodiesOurMinds
What can we do?

24. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Panel

25. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Meet the Panel
Christine Lopez
ELAC Alumna
Cecilia Cruz
ELAC Student Health Center Coordinator
Sonia Rivera
Director of Sexual Assault Services, East LA Women's Center

26. #OurBodiesOurMinds
Stay in touch!
Don’t forget to leave your name and email
on the sign-up sheet!
@artwithimpact
maya@artwithimpact.org