UCI CARE Narrative Project

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Dong-Anh and Katherine continues the conversation on undocumented survivors by discussing reasons why undocumented survivors would feel hesitant to come forward for support. Additionally, they revisit how intersectionality and various identities can affect a survivor’s experience and trauma differently. They also explore various legal and support services that can help undocumented survivors, as well as other options that might be useful. Moreover, they share their opinions on how we can support undocumented survivors on a personal and individualized level.

Content warning: mentions of sexual assault, physical assault, and relationship abuse

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Dong-Anh and Katherine share their own thoughts on the topic of undocumented survivors, as well as identify and define who these folks are. They delve into a deep discussion of the risks of being an undocumented survivors. Both also idenitfies some flaws in support systems that could prevent undocumented survivors to seek support, and cultural impacts that affects a survivor’s ability to seek support. They also inform about the unique types of abuse that undocumented and immigrant survivors would face.

Content warning: mentions of sexual assault, physical assault, and relationship abuse

In this episode of The Narrative Project, Betsy, Sabrina, Dong-Anh, Katherine, and Vicki continue their conversation on generational trauma first with how we can bring it up to our parents and relatives. This leads into a discussion of ways to bridge the gap of mental health between the generations. They conclude the conversation with ways in which to heal from generational trauma and support others who are.

Content warning: mention of domestic violence, emotional abuse, physical abuse, verbal abuse, sexual abuse, physical assault, and PTSD.

In this episode of The Narrative Project, Betsy, Sabrina, Dong-Anh, Katherine, and Vicki define generational trauma, what it means to them, as well as how it’s shaped their personal lives. They elaborate on their shared experiences of how it’s affected them, in their relationships with themselves and others, as well as their interactions with peers. Additionally, the group touches on the different and similar cultural factors that impact generational trauma.

Content warning: mention of domestic violence, emotional abuse, physical abuse, verbal abuse, sexual abuse, physical assault, and PTSD.

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Caroline, Vicki, Katherine, and Dong-Anh discuss how the media normalizes toxic traits in relationships and romanticizes unhealthy relationships. They delve deeper into gaslighting and guilt tripping, and how abusers use this as a tool to have control in their relationships. They share their opinions on red flags to look out for before entering a relationship. To conclude, they end their conversation with how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected survivors of domestic violence, and ways in which folks can work as a community to support survivors.

Content warning: mention of domestic violence, emotional abuse, physical abuse, verbal abuse sexual assault, and physical assault.

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Caroline, Vicki, Katherine, and Dong-Anh discuss what domestic violence and abuse looks like to them. They discuss why they think survivors might be afraid to come out or report their abuse. Some of these include victim blaming, reliving trauma through the legal process, as well as social and cultural barriers. The conversation shifts to explore how gender norms affect survivors, as well as how survivors in the LGBTQ+ community may face different barriers when it comes to reporting or sharing their stories with others. They end the conversation discussing how their personal experiences and interactions as a youth have affected their perception of healthy and unhealthy relationships, as well as how education during these early years are vital for violence prevention.

Content warning: mention of domestic violence, emotional abuse, physical abuse, verbal abuse sexual assault, and physical assault.

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Dee, Vicki, Katherine, and Dong-Anh discuss creating a better support system for individuals experiencing body shaming. Additionally, they discuss how dress codes in educational settings might perpetuate certain body-shaming behaviors, and ways the education system can better support students who experience body shaming. The conversation shifts to the COVID-19 pandemic and how that has affected their sense of self and body image. They end the conversation with some thoughts about the divide between individuals with different body shapes thinking that another group might “have it worse,” and how this can lead to an unhealthy mindset that invalidates people’s experience.

Content warning: mention of body shaming, body dysmorphia, eating disorders, sexual assault, and physical assault.

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Dee, Vicki, Katherine, and Dong-Anh discuss what body shaming and body image look like and how they overlap with the normalization of violence. They share their personal definitions of what body shaming and body image mean to them and discuss how this can lead to the normalization of physical and verbal violence and how this can invalidate survivors and their experiences. They end the conversation with how the media affects body shaming and body image and how they cope with these unrealistic body images perpetuated by the media.

Content warning: mention of body shaming, body dysmorphia, eating disorders, sexual assault, and physical assault.

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Hazal, Mica, Dr. Sarah, and Daisy continue their discussion on power-based personal violence within LGBTQ communities. The group touches upon barriers and challenges to seeking support when harm or violence occurs within queer relationships including resources not being inclusive of LGBTQ folx and facing discrimination when accessing services. The group shares some of the difficulties they have had when seeking services and support.

Content Warning: detailed descriptions of sexual assault and sexual violence.

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Hazal, Mica, Dr. Sarah, and Daisy discuss power-based personal violence within LGBTQ communities. The group shares how social norms set by stereotypical heterosexual relationship dynamics impact queer relationships and the narratives around harm and violence that may occur within them. The group shares their own experiences with harm, queer identity, and queer relationships.

Content Warning: detailed descriptions of sexual assault and sexual violence.

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Hazal, Mica, and Dr. Christine discuss mental health support through the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Christine shares how mental health services became more accessible for many during the pandemic. The group discusses support in light of changing COVID restrictions, the impact of the pandemic on international students as they face multiple unique challenges, and how self-care and coping may look different based on the individual and their background. Addressing social media, they explore the role it has played in the societal discussion of mental health and vaccines throughout the pandemic.

Content Warning: discussion of collective trauma, mention of anxiety and depression.

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Mica, Hazal, and Pauline discuss mental health awareness and the COVID-19 pandemic. They begin by discussing how the pandemic has impacted their day-to-day lives as students and their attempts to manage increases in workload. Sharing personal experiences, they grapple with the exhaustion the pandemic environment has created and how it has impacted them. They share how connection to loved ones and other support has shifted in the completely virtual setting, which presented both challenges and new accessibility. They end their discussion with touching upon COVID anxiety and the fear of the unknown.

Content Warning: mention of anxiety and depression.

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Mica, Hazal, Irene, Andrea, and Brenda discuss sorority and fraternity life and power-based personal violence. They begin the conversation by defining what “Greek,” or sorority and fraternity, life looks like on campus and their involvement. They share their positions, experience with mentorship, and friendships within their sororities. Addressing stereotypes, they discuss barriers many BIPOC individuals face when trying to join a sorority or fraternity and what changes need to be made to foster inclusivity. The group highlights how power dynamics work within these organizations, particularly between new and old members, and ends the episode with a conversation on double standards and how sorority and fraternity life should continue to improve.

Content Warning: mention of hypersexualization of women and sexual assault.

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Mica, Hazal, Irene, Andrea, and Brenda discuss sorority and fraternity life and power-based personal violence. They begin the conversation by defining what “Greek,” or sorority and fraternity, life looks like on campus and their involvement. They share their positions, experience with mentorship, and friendships within their sororities. Addressing stereotypes, they discuss barriers many BIPOC individuals face when trying to join a sorority or fraternity and what changes need to be made to foster inclusivity. The group highlights how power dynamics work within these organizations, particularly between new and old members, and ends the episode with a conversation on double standards and how sorority and fraternity life should continue to improve.

Content Warning: mention of hypersexualization of women and sexual assault.

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Hazal, Sue, Mica, and Daisy discuss what gender means to them and how gender is socialized. They share the personal ways in which they define gender and how courses within their field of study have defined it. The group discusses how society predetermines gender and reinforces the binary gender system through baby showers and toy products. Through exploration of personal upbringings, they elaborate on how they were rewarded or criticized when a gender boundary was seemingly crossed. They bring to attention how stereotypes of masculinity and femininity impact people of all gender identities and conclude the episode with a discussion on reasons why some people are hesitant to seek out resources due to these stereotypes.

Content warning: discussion of sexual assault.

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Hazal, Sue, Mica, and Daisy discuss what gender means to them and how gender is socialized. They share the personal ways in which they define gender and how courses within their field of study have defined it. The group discusses how society predetermines gender and reinforces the binary gender system through baby showers and toy products. Through exploration of personal upbringings, they elaborate on how they were rewarded or criticized when a gender boundary was seemingly crossed. They bring to attention how stereotypes of masculinity and femininity impact people of all gender identities and conclude the episode with a discussion on reasons why some people are hesitant to seek out resources due to these stereotypes.

Content warning: discussion of sexual assault.

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Hazal, Ilayda, Mica, Rasta, and Yvonne discuss physical and mental boundaries in the context of a variety of relationships. They highlight the dynamic nature of boundaries and the importance of communication when establishing and enforcing boundaries. They elaborate on unique experiences that can impact a person’s boundaries and specify how cultural norms may create an environment less conducive to setting up boundaries. They conclude the conversation with a dialogue on how adults can aid in creating safe spaces for youth as it is never too early to have conversations about body autonomy and consent.

Content Warning: mention of potentially non-consensual physical contact

In this episode of the Narrative Project, Hazal, Ilayda, Mica, Rasta, and Yvonne discuss physical and mental boundaries in the context of a variety of relationships. They highlight the dynamic nature of boundaries and the importance of communication when establishing and enforcing boundaries. They elaborate on unique experiences that can impact a person’s boundaries and specify how cultural norms may create an environment less conducive to setting up boundaries. They conclude the conversation with a dialogue on how adults can aid in creating safe spaces for youth as it is never too early to have conversations about body autonomy and consent.

Content Warning: mention of potentially non-consensual physical contact