A Healing Circle

They don’t know each other. They sit around a table set with cheese, bread, olives, and tuna spread. Nobody touches the food. The light is warm, there is no music; it would be a distraction. Eleven women of different ages, colours, sizes, backgrounds, occupations, characters. They have one thing in common. They have all been a victim of sexual harassment by healthcare practitioners. For some, the incident happened years, even decades ago, for others very recently. The host sits at the table and wonders: Do we have a collective purpose? Is this a movement? Will this lead us somewhere?

One by one the women start recounting. Tears are shed. There is laughter, there is anger and outrage. They debate human nature, the patriarchy, particularly in the medical profession, mental health, and fragility. And there are questions. ‘Why’ is the most uttered. Why did it happen? Why did I not react? Why me? Why us? What vulnerability does the predator see in his prey?

After a while, the food is passed around, and along with full plates, the women share their vulnerability, their empathy, and their solidarity. As if the dam opened. There is no taking back the pain, but in sharing there is healing.

The scene could take place anywhere, the time could be any time. This time it’s an evening in May 2021 in Geneva. Women, gather, share, speak up, break the cycle of abuse, heal. This is a community, a sisterhood, a healing circle. We have arrived. And that, for the moment, is enough.

Learn more about our engagement vs sexual harassment on Instagram @basta.harcelement