Self-inflicted violence (SIV) can be viewed from the lens of feminist therapy; that is, through an analysis of gender, power, and social location as a means of understanding emotional distress (1). SIV, a term often attributed to Mazelis (1), is a strategy for coping with violence inflicted upon women by others, as an action of self-help, and as “an act of resistance to experiences of oppression.” SIV is a way of “tending to present external wounds”, which “often helps soothe the internal wounds of the past” (1). It is also a “self-soothing technique that allows the individual to assert control over the process of harm”(1). This takes me back to the first time I encountered SIV, many years ago, on the first day of my job as a community support worker. I still have a vivid memory of a single mom, “Vicki", who was struggling with alcohol issues and to care for her three-year old boy, “Archie”. Archie had cigarette burns on his feet. Vicki also had burn and bite marks on her arms. I struggled to understand this. Later, as a social worker, I worked with an Indigenous Elder who provided healing supports to incarcerated women and she said that self-injury practice was common. Many people carry deep pain, and cutting or SIV helps to release this pain.
All these years later, the Brown & Bryan (2007) article below is important because it has implications for understanding the underlying issues related to trauma, which are often linked to SIV. As well, as described in the article, there are indications for counsellor responses, such as acceptance, compassion, respect, and understanding. Conversely, not responding with ways that replicate shame, guilt, stigma, or re-victimization and, perhaps instead consider harm reduction practices as a first step. With this in mind, I close this reflection with words from Lee Maracle (Squamish, Stó:lo), an Indigenous author, scholar, and activist, which encourages us to draw freedom from our pain and our stories. We are more than this. “…[w]e are built for transformation. Our stories prepare us for it. Find freedom in the context you inherit; every context is different; discover consequences and change from within, that is the challenge.”

References
1. Brown, L.S. & Bryan, T.C. (2007). Feminist therapy with people who self-inflict violence. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 63(11), 1121-1133.
2. Maracle, L. (2004). Goodbye, Snauq. Retrieved from http://jdyck.weebly.com/uploads/1/9/1/5/19153179/goodbye_snauq.pdf
Image: Stock photo.
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