Men and women are socialised to deal with violence differently. In many Western societies, women are usually conditioned to think of violence as inherently bad, horrific and traumatising. Women are frequently taught to be more passive than men, to try and get along at all costs, to be hugely invested in our manners, to be ‘nice’.
As a result, women who survive an act of violence often find themselves struggling with the aftermath because nothing in their upbringing prepares them for it. Men struggle too, but often in different ways.
A Woman’s Toolkit offers a uniquely female perspective on recovering from violence. This booklet describes several tools for developing the mentality and skillsets that one needs in order to heal.
“A.R. Banks has done an amazing thing. The Toolkit is neither an academic treatise nor the screed of a survivor working out personal issues. It is very simply good advice from someone who is good at helping people. When your life goes very badly, there may come a time when you need a non-judgmental but non-coddling guide. Start here.”
– Rory Miller, author of “Meditations on Violence”, “Conflict Communications”, “Facing Violence”, and many other works.
“I have already purchased copies for friends of mine (the highest endorsement I know how to give) and would definitely recommend… It is rare a book is released that achieves so much in such few pages.”
Toby Cowern for Conflict Research Group Intl. (CGRI) Magazine
Swimming in Deep Water 