ABOUT
Why talk about this stuff?
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In mid-2020, I had a conversation with a young woman about to finish Grade 12 of High School, and within a few short months – prior to finishing high school – she suicided. While that made shock waves in her immediate school, work and surrounding communities, it stirred within me the desire to investigate, and speak to the why.
How is it that a single unpleasant or unwanted experience can prompt us to go on a particular trajectory in life, which may be ultimately given the power to define us? Even a series of traumatic experiences need not define us. I had experienced something similar to this young woman, yet instead of sharing long-term her motivation to suicide, I am here, and now able to speak with others about it.
DID YOU KNOW?
In Australia, 1 in 2 women have experienced sexual harassment during their lifetime;
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1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men have experienced emotional abuse by a partner;
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1 in 6 women have been physically or sexually abused prior to age 15;
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1 in 5 women have experienced sexual violence after age 15;
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Half of all sexual assaults occur at home.
Australian Bureau of Statistics 2016 Personal Safety Survey in AIHW (2019)
AND…
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9 in 10 women experiencing sexual assault do not contact police, meaning our statistics are shockingly underreported.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2020). Sexual assault in Australia. Cat. no. FDV 5.
Every woman’s body is sacred, precious, and worth treating and treasuring that way. If we, as young women, place value on higher externals (how we look; receiving attention, praise, etc), we set ourselves up and give permission for others to similarly place higher value elsewhere and to disrespect us, such that the woman’s body can be treated with lack of regard and respect.
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Everyone can relate to lack of respect hurting deeply us to our core, and what people do with that hurt can come to define them, compounding the hurt, manifesting in self-harm or worse, causing them to strike out in reaction to hurt others. Or, it can spur a deeper reflection on how events are allowed to occur, prompting a wealth of self-awareness and the courage to begin to live respectful of one’s body and being.
The ultimate magnificence that we can connect to within throughout that process blows any of our idealised values of what we thought we want(ed).
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When one connects to the science and magic that is the menstrual cycle, and how conception, human growth, development and maturation occurs over the lifespan, and the pristine balance (homeostasis) through which it all operates, it can inspire a deeper care for one’s self and one’s body.
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Knowing what goes where, what’s a respectful way to speak about one or others’ bodies, what’s permissible by you according to how it feels, how to keep yourself safe, how/when/where to debrief and/or seek medical advice and treatment brings practicality to an area of health that can be avoided, undervalued, and under-supported.
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So, let’s talk about... vaginas, periods, consent, sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, contraception and more, so that YOU can fall in love with your body and ENJOY taking care of yourself!
Ok, I'm interested, but who is going have this conversation?
Hi, I’m Stephanie Pommerel, Doctor of Medicine, trained in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and working in General Practice. I have a love of all things bodily; I particularly love working with women about their most deep and intimate issues, which often relate to the reproductive organs, their cycles, maladies, and complications thereof, and which almost always impact the quality of their life and relationships.
About Dr Stephanie
In all my consultations and throughout my work, I offer a relatable connection to the topic at hand.
Over a number of years, I have learnt to love my body and all that it shows me about the way I ask it to live, such that together, we now have a much more harmonious relationship!
I no longer fight the inherent loveliness and sweetness that comes with being a woman, nor do I seek to repress or protect it, covering it up because I think it is uncool.... Instead, these qualities have become my greatest superpowers!