KO Community Weekend
Our KO Community Weekend, which takes place once a year at the Diversity Lab seminar centre in Brandenburg, is a great opportunity for women (including anyone identifying as female) who have been affected by sexualised violence to meet in a caring environment. Given that there is so much shame and taboo surrounding sexualised violence, talking with like-minded people and getting the feeling that you’re not alone can be the key to healing and living with such scars. We want participants to feel that they are part of a community.
They can share their experiences and enjoy a feeling of togetherness while walking in the forest, swimming in the lake or taking a boat trip. The unique setting of the seminar centre gives everyone the chance to find peace, relaxation and healing in the heart of nature.
We chose this location because we have the entire centre, a four-acre site with security fencing, all to ourselves. For traumatised women in particular it is essential to be able to move freely in a protected space to eliminate the risk of being retraumatised. Outsiders are unable to enter the area.
There is a rich and varied programme that includes a number of workshops, attendance at which is entirely voluntary. The programme changes from year to year and comprises physical activities such as trauma-sensitive yoga, dancing and WenDo (feminist self-assertion training), psychoeducational lectures on trauma and reactions to trauma, and a range of complementary activities such as art therapy and sharing circles.
FEEDBACK FROM PARTICIPANTS
“I am full of love and courage and immensely indebted to every single person who was part of that weekend. I have always wished for a large family, one in which everyone looks out for everyone else, in which everyone can speak openly and, above all, one in which you can live without the fear of doing something wrong. After this weekend I don’t feel alone anymore, as I know my family is spread all over Germany and that we’re deeply connected and perhaps just a click, a phone call or a train ride away. What I take most from the weekend is that I can do anything. I finally know that again thanks to you. Thank you so much!”
Participant after the 1st KO-Community Weekend in September 2021, anonymous
“For me, it’s been one of the most important and beautiful experiences of my life. Spending the weekend in a safe space was so important. Such a contrast to where I live, where I am confronted with the offences and the perpetrators and with people who do not understand me. It was very important for me personally to see that life can be so different. And once again I realised how important and therapeutic it is for me to talk with like-minded people.”
Participant after the 1st KO-Community Weekend in September 2021, anonymous
“The weekend opened up my heart. The connection we all had was very empowering and supports me to this day. I learnt lots of new things and will definitely come back next year.”
Participant after the 1st KO-Community Weekend in September 2021, anonymous