A Conversation with Elizabeth Clemants, Founder of Hidden Water, a Restorative Justice Response to Child Sexual Abuse

Elizabeth Clemants is a survivor who helps other sexual abuse survivors survive and heal. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Hidden Water, a restorative justice response to child sexual abuse. Her own family has five generations of abuse and she chose to do something to break these cycles for others. Hidden Water uses a Circle model, which is a 12-week system, based on the indigenous practice of Circle and founded on the belief that abuse harms all members of a family, community and society, not just the persons directly impacted. "In Circle, we work to heal individuals, families and communities from the devastating impacts of child sexual abuse. We strive to prevent future harm by educating others, inspiring collective responsibility and cultivating a culture of healthy boundaries for all." Hidden Water's services are provided to the community for free. They very much appreciate donations, however, because they have no formal funding. There are 200 people on the waitlist at almost all times to join the Circles. She is the author of the just released book: Healing Together - A Family Guide to Recovering from Sexual Harm. It is largely directed to family members of people who have been sexually abused, to help them show up for the survivor. "It was the system that was harmed and the system has to show up to heal itself," Elizabeth says. This book can help family members learn how to help and there is no other book like it. Elizabeth opened her private practice, Planning Change, in 2004 and has dedicated her career to teaching conflict resolution, training mediators and working with individuals, families and organizations on conflict and healing. She has been an adjunct professor at Fordham Law School since 2005, and a conflict resolution trainer for the New York State Unified Court System since 2000. Elizabeth has a Bachelor's in Social Work from Iowa State University ('93). Upon returning from the Peace Corps ('93-'96), she moved to New York City and earned a Master's in Social Work with a Minor in Law from Columbia University ('98). Learn more: www.hiddenwatercircle.org and elizabethclemants.com (buy the book on her website) Safe(r) Adult link:  https://www.hiddenwatercircle.org/posts/in-the-water-a-training-for-becoming-a-safe-r-adult Newsletter: https://www.hiddenwatercircle.org/newsletter https://www.facebook.com/HiddenWaterNYC https://www.instagram.com/hiddenwaternyc https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-clemants-2612ab3/