Summer Travel Grant 2017 Recipient

Rachel Reeves

Graduate Degree Fellow

During the summer of 2017, I traveled to Rarotonga, the main island of the Cook Islands, to conduct research for a creative thesis I am writing, in order to obtain a Master’s of Arts in English (Creative Writing). Part of my thesis will focus on domestic abuse in the Cook Islands and the specific challenges survivors there face. During my time in the Cook Islands I conducted in-depth, days-long interviews with fourteen survivors and interviewed a range of service providers, from counselors to police officers. I also spoke to a reformed abuser. In addition, I co-organized an event to raise money for Punanga Tauturu Inc, the only organization in the Cook Islands that provides support services for survivors of domestic abuse.

Rachel Reeves conducting an interview in the Cook Islands

Poster for event co-organized by Rachel Reeves

Thanks to the generosity of the EWCPA, I feel better prepared to write my thesis. I am so deeply grateful for the support.