| Abstract
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Using grounded theory methodology (Glaser's building theory from a data base), this research examines how peacebuilders heal violent trauma they have personally endured, with the aim of identifying common themes in their journeys from victim to survivor to provider. Using an appreciative interview format (Cooperrider and Whitney) designed to acknowledge traumatic experiences with the equally important need to identify the sources of resilience, the interviews with selected peacebuilders show how, beyond surviving trauma, they transcend it, choosing a vocation of peacebuilding in violent conflicts while risking secondary traumatization and compassion fatigue. The eight peacebuilders in this study suffered and transcended catastrophic traumas such as kidnapping, terrorism, bombing, war, and physical assault. They work in trauma healing centers, restorative justice, international mediation, and relief and development work around the globe, including El Salvador, Ghana, Northern Ireland, Kenya, Bosnia-Herzegovina, New Zealand, United States, and India. These participants' stories reveal not so much "getting over" trauma, but rather how these peacebuilders have found a way through horrific traumas. The research identifies three journeys present in all the interviews:Deeper---Tending the Victim, Higher---Transcending as Survivor, Wider---Transforming as Provider. The journey deeper, in which the trauma is acknowledged and tended, is a journey that chooses what was not chosen. The journey higher, rising from the ashes to find meaning, faith, and to determine future choices, offers a transcending path from victim to survivor. The journey wider transforms the identity of the trauma survivor to provider by giving inspiration to choose a courageous mission and find one's vocation. The emergent theory suggests that all three phases of the journey evolve simultaneously and are interdependent, multidirectional, and nonlinear. The findings illuminate the importance for all professionals working in the traumatic conflict field of actively engaging in a bi-focal approach of seeing the survivor in the victim. This research emphasizes the amazing potential of the individual to rise above destructive traumas and vengeful retaliations to find the good and show compassion.
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