This thesis explores the Tantric transformational journey from sexual trauma to wholeness. The research question offers to explain, “What are the experiences of women who have experienced sexual trauma and have embraced the non-dual path of Tantra as a transformational journey to wholeness?” A phenomenological hermeneutic method of study was used to investigate and understand themes that surfaced from the coparticipants narratives. The narratives were gathered from research interviews that were conducted with the six co-participants. From these interviews, thirteen themes emerged. The following themes are: 1) discovering sexuality, 2) trauma: splitting the soul in two, 3) the betrayal bond of trauma 4) from betrayal by others to the betrayal of self, 5) befriending the self, 6) sacred spot healing, 7) releasement: a catapult into presence, 8) saying ‘yes’ to pain, saying ‘yes’ to pleasure, 8) embracing the open sky of awareness, 9) the power of presence in the here and now, 10) total freedom in the always, already, available ‘now’, 11) sublime and mundane: merging into oneness, 12) non-dual: vastness of oneness 13) suchness of life. Finally, a summary of findings as well as limitations of this study and the implications of counselling are discussed. / viii, 175 leaves ; 29 cm. --

Thesis (M.A.)--Lancaster Bible College, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 53-58).

Thesis (M.A.)--Lancaster Bible College, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 53-58).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wollongong, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references: leaf 325-353.

Thesis (M.A.)--The Master's College, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 139-142).

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) is a societal problem whose origins date back to the times of the ancient Greeks and Romans. It is found in all levels of society, from the wealthiest to the poorest; and the short-term and long-term impacts it has on the lives of the victims, can be devastating. There are many reasons for the occurrence of child sexual abuse, but in all cases, the ultimate accountability rests on the shoulders of the sexual offender. The nature of child sexual victimisation varies from verbal suggestions to violent physical force. Irrespective of which type the child is being subjected to, as the weaker partner in the pedagogical relationship with the adult, s/he is never able to defend herself/himself. The global phenomenon, and the increase in CSA, has given rise to the research question, namely: How does child sexual abuse impact on the school life experiences and academic performance of learners at school? The purpose of this research study was to provide insight into the following issues: • The nature and identification of the symptoms of child sexual abuse; • The manner in which sexually abused children manifest their experiences of sexual abuse at school; • How sexually abused children cope with their learning tasks; and • Recommendations for educators. The literature relating to CSA was reviewed, with the aim of establishing a solid theoretical foundation for the study. CSA has been looked at holistically, encompassing the accepted definitions, the related concepts, the nature of sexual abuse, the prevalence and incidence of CSA, the possible causes, the short-term and long-term impacts, and the suggestions by adult survivors for use by educators in their efforts to help abused learners. 11 In an attempt to provide acceptable answers to the research problem, a mixed- method research design was implemented. The research study was conducted in two phases: Stage 1 consisted of an exploration of the research problem by means of the following question put to the participants: In your experience as an adult survivor of child sexual abuse how did the abuse impact on your school life experiences, including your academic performance? A total of nineteen participants from the Eastern Cape Province shared their experiences, by means of writing their life story as a narrative. Purposive and availability sampling of adult survivors was undertaken. In order to ensure the trustworthiness and authenticity of the research methodology, Guba’s model of data verification was used. Accepted ethical measures were taken into consideration and adhered to during the research. The analysed data were taken directly from the narratives that the individual participants saved onto flashdrives. Consensus by the researcher and coder was reached regarding the identification of themes, categories and subcategories. The following four significant themes emerged, based on the results of the data analysis: Theme One: Health, sexuality and the sexual experiences of sexual abused children and adolescents. Theme Two: The social development of sexually abused children and adolescents. Theme Three: School-related experiences and academic performance of sexually abused children and adolescents. Theme Four: Advice and suggestions from adult survivors for young victims of CSA. 12 Stage 2 offered recommendations to the teachers of learners who are, or have been sexually abused, derived from the findings of Phase 1. The conclusion was reached that CSA does have an impact on the academic performance of learners. Therefore, teachers are in need of a greater understanding and awareness of CSA, in order to help these learners.

The purpose of this study was to determine the degree to which the experience of incest contributed to women's' evaluations of counselors' trustworthiness and attractiveness based on the counselors' use of touch. Counseling facilities, educational centers, and individual therapists who led groups for female adult survivors of incest and non-victimized women, were contacted and asked to participate in a study designed to evaluate counseling techniques for women in counseling. The sample consisted of 130 volunteers over the age of 18 and currently in counseling. Groups of participants evaluated two 4 1/2 minute Simulated counseling sessions on video tapes. Nearly half of the sample viewed the tapes with a male counselor and a female client, and the others viewed tapes with a female counselor and a female client. On one of each set of counseling vignettes, the counselor supportively touched the client four times. All other variables were held constant. Participants evaluated the counselors on attributes of attractiveness and trustworthiness associated with the use of counselor touch. The results of the multiple regression analysis indicated that two variables significantly influenced how participants evaluated counselor attributes associated with the use of counselor touch, namely counselor attributes when the counselor did not use touch and counselor's gender. Results of independent t-tests indicated that female counselors were rated significantly higher on both counselor attributes in both counseling vignettes. Paired t-tests indicated that female counselors were rated significantly higher on counseling attributes when they used touch versus when they did not use touch. Male counselors were rated significantly higher on the counselor attribute of attractiveness when they used touch versus when they did not use touch. A significant interaction was found between the participant's incest experience and ratings of counselors' attributes when the counselor did not use touch. That is, participant's ratings of counselors' attributes when the counselor used touch and participant's incest experience were combined, they made a Significant contribution to how participants rated counselors on counseling attributes when the counselor used touch. The findings of this study suggest that whether women experience incest or not does not effect their perceptions of counselors who use touch. Furthermore, women preferred counselors who used touch versus those that did not. Implications for further training suggest that counselors be taught appropriate touch techniques to use in counseling with both adult survivors of incest and non-victimized women. / Ed. D.

The purpose of this action study was to conduct a group treatment program for female adult survivors of incest using TFA Systems™. Specifically this study examined the coping response behavior patterns of adult survivors in situations of perceived victimization. During stage one of the treatment program, clients presented situations in which they had perceived themselves to have been in the victim role. Each client analyzed her patterns of coping using the TFA Helping Cycle. The specific thoughts (T), feelings (F), and actions (A) experienced by participants were examined. Special attention was given to the cues that signaled perceptions of victimization. Processing through the Helping Cycle assisted clients in moving from an awareness of habitual patterns to problem solving alternative coping responses. In stage two, participants predicted situations that had the potential for eliciting perceptions of victimization. These situations were likewise examined in TFA terms. Applying TFA methods to understanding coping response behavior patterns in threatening situations allowed clients the opportunity to break the cycle of relying on habitual behavior patterns. Intervention techniques were individualized to both the client and her situation. The results of this study suggest that the TFA Systems™ model accurately assessed the coping response behavior patterns of clients in situations of perceived victimization. Participants were able to use effectively the Helping Cycle to examine the thoughts, feelings and actions that directed their behavior. Conscious awareness of existing patterns and knowledge of available options allowed clients to restructure ineffective coping responses. Both objective and subjective evaluation procedures confirmed the TFA Systems™ treatment model as a promising method for effecting positive behavior change in an adult survivors of incest population. / Ed. D.

Statistics for sexually abused children are high. When children do not receive therapy, they may develop marital problems later in life. Survivors of sexual abused have difficulty letting other people come close to them. Because emotional and sexual intimacy is important components of a marital relationship, survivors of sexual abused experience conflict within their marriages. Intimacy in the marital relationship reminds them of the abuse situation and they would try to escape from it. If couples do not go through therapeutic intervention, they would have difficulty understanding the changes in their relationship after the marriage. Within a therapeutic environment partners are able to recognise the effects of abuse and are able to learn how to handle it in order to achieve a successful marriage. The changes in intimacy levels after marriage will be investigated in this study. The study will make recommendations towards professional principles for social workers in practice. / Social Work / M. A. (Social Sciences)

Statistics for sexually abused children are high. When children do not receive therapy, they may develop marital problems later in life. Survivors of sexual abused have difficulty letting other people come close to them. Because emotional and sexual intimacy is important components of a marital relationship, survivors of sexual abused experience conflict within their marriages. Intimacy in the marital relationship reminds them of the abuse situation and they would try to escape from it. If couples do not go through therapeutic intervention, they would have difficulty understanding the changes in their relationship after the marriage. Within a therapeutic environment partners are able to recognise the effects of abuse and are able to learn how to handle it in order to achieve a successful marriage. The changes in intimacy levels after marriage will be investigated in this study. The study will make recommendations towards professional principles for social workers in practice. / Social Work / M. A. (Social Sciences)