Plants brought back to life”: An exploration of female adolescent survivors’ experiences of sexual abuse, healing and resilience

“Plants Brought Back to Life”: A Story of Healing and Resilience among Filipino Adolescent Survivors

Many adolescent girls in the Philippines suffer sexual abuse, often in silence. In a moving qualitative study titled “Plants Brought Back to Life,” researchers Prof. Dra. Laili Rahayuwati M.Kes., M.Sc., Dr.PH. from Universitas Padjadjaran in collaboration with Maria Lourdes Turalde Jarabe, PhD., from the University of the Philippines Open University, amplify the voices of survivors and explore how they navigate trauma, healing, and self-reclamation.

Through deep, interpretative phenomenological analysis, the study reveals that healing is not a destination but a process, one shaped by emotional loss, spiritual strength, and the presence (or absence) of a supportive environment. Survivors described reclaiming their self-worth as a central part of healing, while also finding meaning in helping others. Faith in God emerged as a powerful anchor, and altruism became a way to transform pain into purpose.

The study exposes how family dynamics and a culture of silence create deep emotional conflict, especially when abusers are relatives. These stories reflect personal struggles and structural challenges in addressing gender-based violence in Southeast Asia.

This research contributes critical insights for nursing education and trauma-informed care, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive support systems tailored to adolescent survivors. By centering survivors’ voices, the study advances Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

📖 Full article: https://doi.org/10.24198/jkp.v12i3.2555