Last Wednesday, December 10, the first Dialogic Scientific Gathering for the prevention of child sexual abuse began, organized by the association CSA Survivors – Science and Friendship, coinciding with the celebration of the 77th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
One of the actions chosen by the members of the association has been Dialogic Scientific Gatherings, as this is an action that has proven successful in the joint creation of scientific knowledge aimed at improving people’s lives. The members of the association wanted a space to engage in egalitarian dialogue around scientific evidence related to overcoming child sexual abuse. In this field, many hoaxes circulate that not only re-victimize those who have suffered abuse, but also hinder prevention and contribute to exacerbating the harm. In this gathering, people who seek to eradicate abuse lead its overcoming through an action that has previously been shown to foster egalitarian, high-quality interactions based on respect.
This association is made up of people who suffered sexual abuse as minors (some of whom identify publicly as survivors, while others prefer to keep this within the private sphere), as well as people who did not experience abuse in childhood but choose to support victims voluntarily and selflessly.
From the shared dream of eradicating abuse against minors, protecting victims, survivors, and those who support them is possible if we apply scientific evidence with social impact and if we create networks of solidarity inspired by friendship.
On a topic as complex and painful as child sexual abuse, it is extraordinary that, during and after the gathering, participants expressed feeling better, having experienced a beautiful moment, and wanting to continue.
For this first gathering, a scientific text on the Dialogic Model of Coexistence was chosen, as it is the action that has been found to have the greatest social impact in the prevention of violence.
After the gathering, participants shared feelings of hope, well-being, and the experience of having been in a safe and beautiful space. On a topic as complex and painful as child sexual abuse, it is extraordinary that, during and after the gathering, someo participants expressed feeling better, having experienced a beautiful moment, and wanting to continue. This is especially significant and difficult when addressing this reality. The gathering contributes to the prevention and overcoming of child sexual abuse, and it does so in a profoundly beautiful way.
Predoctoral researcher at the University of Barcelona