Effects of Expressive Arts on Sexual Abuse Survivors

Presenter Hometown

Wayland, MI

Major

Therapeutic Recreation

Department

Recreation and Park Administration

Degree

Undergraduate

Mentor

Michelle Davis Gerken

Mentor Department

Recreation and Park Administration

Abstract

Women and men will experience rape during their lifetime. 81% of these women and 35% of these men will suffer from short or long term PTSD because of this. Survivors are often enrolled in therapy but do not understand the deep rooted emotional scars they are left with after the trauma. Expressive art therapy is an effective way to express emotions and complex thoughts survivors are unable to fit into words. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the positive benefits expressive art therapy has on recovering sexual abuse survivors mentally, emotionally and socially. The researcher’s findings indicate that adults and children alike positively benefit from the use of expressive art therapy in a variety of settings.

Presentation format

Poster

Poster Number

091

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Effects of Expressive Arts on Sexual Abuse Survivors

Women and men will experience rape during their lifetime. 81% of these women and 35% of these men will suffer from short or long term PTSD because of this. Survivors are often enrolled in therapy but do not understand the deep rooted emotional scars they are left with after the trauma. Expressive art therapy is an effective way to express emotions and complex thoughts survivors are unable to fit into words. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the positive benefits expressive art therapy has on recovering sexual abuse survivors mentally, emotionally and socially. The researcher’s findings indicate that adults and children alike positively benefit from the use of expressive art therapy in a variety of settings.